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 Rizla Suzuki MotoGP has completed its first 2008 pre-season test at Sepang in Malaysia, confident that all the items tested and evaluated will give it a clear indication of the direction to take in forthcoming tests.
Chris Vermeulen and new-signing Loris Capirossi completed three exhausting and comprehensive days of testing in high temperatures at the 5.5km Malaysian track, and both riders were impressed with the performance of the new-spec engine they tried for the first time in the Suzuki GSV-R.
Following on today from in-depth evaluations of tyres, brake components and many other electronic and mechanical strategies over the previous two days, the Rizla Suzuki riders completed race-distance runs on their respective machines to gather as much data as possible for the Factory Technicians present at trackside. Vermeulen completed 70 laps today – over 380kms of race-pace riding in temperatures approaching 35°C - with Capirossi just behind on 62 laps. The Australian was ninth quickest overall with a fastest time of 2’01.748 that was recorded on Bridgestone race-tyres during the hottest part of the day, as he simulated what is likely to be race conditions for the Malaysian Grand Prix later this year. Capirossi was immediately after his new team-mate on the timesheets, with a fastest time of 2’01.778 to give him 10th position. However, when lap times are adjusted to exclude the use of qualifying tyres, the Rizla Suzuki duo placed fourth and fifth respectively.
Rizla Suzuki MotoGP now moves south to Phillip Island in Australia for the second test of a busy pre-season schedule in readiness for the first race of the 2008 MotoGP World Championship season at Losail in Qatar on Sunday 10th March.
Chris Vermeulen:
“After all the intensive testing of the first two days it was good to get a long run and simulate a race distance on the new GSV-R today. The conditions were really hard as it was the hottest part of the day, but what was pleasing was that I did the best lap-time I’ve ever recorded at Sepang during that, so it shows that the reliability and durability of the bike is similar to what we had last year – but a bit quicker! Bridgestone has given us a step up in rear tyre performance, now we need to work together to find the best front solution. We now head off to Australia to continue with the testing programme, we still have a long way to go before the first race, but this has certainly been a good start.”
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