Vermeulen hopeful ahead of Laguna trip
Added on Tuesday, June 30th, 2009 by Carole Nash Editor
Vermeulen celebrates Laguna Seca podium in 2008.
Suzuki’s Chris Vermeulen will be hoping that Sunday’s visit to Laguna Seca will turn around his indifferent form so far this season.
After a series of positive pre-season performances following a thorough testing regime, Suzuki had high hopes of challenging Honda, Ducati and Yamaha at the front of the championship. But the results have failed to materialise, with a fifth place finish the best result that either Suzuki rider has managed to achieve so far this season.
But Aussie rider Vermeulen believes that the trip to California could kick start his season given his season.
The 27-year-old has a good record at Laguna Seca, having finished on the podium for the past two years and is seeking a repeat performance this time around.
“I’m really looking forward to Laguna Seca,” he claimed. “It’s certainly one of my favourite circuits and I’ve been on the podium there for the last two years, as well as a pole position in 2006. I certainly want to try and repeat those performances and get the Suzuki on the podium for the first time in 2009.
“I hope it is a good race for all the fans and that the weather is as nice as it usually is. I am sure we can be competitive from day one and put on a good show.”
Teammate Loris Capirossi is also talking up his chances after struggling with injury at the circuit last year.
“I wasn’t at full strength at Laguna last year following my crash at Assen and all the changes in direction really made it a painful race for me,” he claimed. “This year I am going there fully fit and the bike seems to be improving every time I ride it, so we are hoping to be right up amongst the front guys this weekend.
“The season still has a long way to go and I am now in-touch with the top-five in the championship and that certainly has to be our target - to break into that group and go from strength-to-strength at every race.”
