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MotoGP: Suzuki Completes 2007
MotoGP Test Schedule
Rizla Suzuki MotoGP has concluded its 2007 post-season test schedule
with a successful behind-closed-doors two-day test at Phillip
Island in Australia.
 Chris Vermeulen, Loris Capirossi
and the rest of the Suzuki Grand Prix team travelled to the southern
hemisphere to put the new 2008 prototype Suzuki GSV-R through
its paces, while the other MotoGP teams gathered at Jerez in
Spain for their final tests. Rizla Suzuki MotoGP chose to travel
to Australia due to the technical and demanding nature of the
4,448km long circuit and was rewarded for its efforts with a
thorough and complete evaluation of the new machine by both riders
that will enable the Team to make significant advances in readiness
for next year's assault on the MotoGP World Championship.
Both riders carried out a huge test schedule covering nearly
400 laps or 1,800km between them - as they were able to assess
the new GSV-R with some very in-depth testing without the distractions
of other riders on the circuit. The Factory Engineers now have
a clear direction of which direction they need to go, not just
to make the new bike more competitive at Phillip Island, but
also at the other 17 circuits that Rizla Suzuki MotoGP will visit
in 2008.
Rizla Suzuki MotoGP now has a seven-week test ban throughout
December and January when the riders and crew are not allowed
to turn a wheel on a track, but this doesn't mean the work stops.
The Suzuki Factory race department will be working tirelessly
throughout this enforced test ban to make sure that Vermeulen
and Capirossi have the most competitive machinery available when
the 2008 MotoGP season gets underway, with the first-ever Grand
Prix under lights, at Doha in Qatar on Sunday 9th March next
year.
Chris Vermeulen:
"This has been a very positive test for us and we have got
through loads of stuff during the two days! It's quite difficult
to gauge how well you are doing with no other riders here, but
that has also been a positive thing as we have been able to get
on with our job and not worry about other riders or lap-times.
I know my pace on the new bike was better than the race here
in October, but that was not what this test was all about. We
were here to find out what would make the bike work better and
we have certainly made big steps towards doing that, we have
learned a lot that will help us not just at Phillip Island but
elsewhere as well. It's now just a shame that we have seven weeks
off as I would like to continue working with the new bike and
making sure we are as competitive as we can be when the season
starts next March!"
Loris Capirossi:
"It was a very good test for me. I did nearly 200 laps and
got through an incredible amount of work and we have found a
good direction to go in. We got though our full test schedule
and although we still have some things to improve, we now have
a clear idea of what is needed and we are confident that we know
how we are going to get there. I am really enjoying my time with
the new team and it is now sad that we have to have such a long
break, but I will come back refreshed and ready to get going
at the end of January I can't wait for my first race on
the Suzuki!"
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