Suzuki hoping that winter efforts bare fruit
Added on Tuesday, April 7th, 2009 by Carole Nash Editor
Suzuki hoping that winter efforts bare fruit
Rizla Suzuki riders Loris Capirossi and Chris Vermeulen head to Qatar in positive mood ahead of this season’s MotoGP opener after a successful off-season.
After a disappointing 2008 for the factory Suzuki team which returned just three podium finishes all year, the team have made sure that increased testing miles and science have gone in to the new GSV-R to provide more of a challenge to Honda, Ducati and Yamaha in 2009.
After booking time at a wind tunnel in Japan, Suzuki took part in a private test in Australia to work on the Suzuki’s top-line speed and judging by their official test performances, the efforts have paid off.
Capirossi in particular impressed at Sepang, posting the fastest time on day one and the third fastest time overall out of the three day session and Capirossi believes that Suzuki can take that form into competitive racing.
“It was pleasing to finish the test schedule with a good result at Jerez and it shows how far the bike has come on in the winter,” said the veteran Italian. “But now we have to be focused on racing, because we have to keep improving and try to get the best position we can.
“We want to be on the podium and winning races and I believe that is where we can be.
“Qatar has been a tough track for Suzuki in the past, but the test there earlier this year was quite good and hopefully we can get the season off to a strong start!”
Chris Vermeulen also secured some strong results in testing and the Australian was equally optimistic about the team’s prospects.
“Last week at Jerez we had a very good test and it gave us a chance to check a few things and get right into the racing mode in time for Qatar,” said Vermeulen. “We had an important test at Doha last month and we are going there a lot better prepared than the same time last year.”
