New start for Team SUZUKI MotoGP

[R1 Biker]

Team SUZUKI MotoGP will be in Malaysia next week to hold its final test session of 2005 with both its young riders eager to get development underway for next year. John Hopkins and Chris Vermeulen will be testing a large range of options for their GSV-R race bikes and are hoping for better weather than during the last test at Valencia earlier this month. Hopkins qualified on the front row for the Malaysian Grand Prix earlier in the season and will be using all his knowledge of the Sepang circuit to put Suzuki’s prototype 2006 challenger through its paces. Hopkins’ three day test on this all-new machine, in addition to tests with the newest generation of Bridgestone tyres and Ohlins suspension, will see the Anglo-American assuming an important role in terms of defining the team’s 2006 direction.

Vermeulen is looking to get in a full test on the 2005 GSV-R after the awful weather at Valencia intervened to cut short his first full day on the bike. He initially showed good pace and will now use the three-day test to learn a lot more about how the machine and his new team work. Suzuki’s new signing will be riding at Sepang for the first time in his career and will be planning to quickly learn his way around the technically demanding Malaysian circuit. The 5.5km Sepang circuit is an excellent testing ground for the Suzuki with a good variation of corners, two high-speed straights and very smooth and sweeping chicanes. The challenging and fast nature of the track will give both riders and technicians alike the chance to push the bike and new parts to their limits.

The test will run from November 28th until the 30th and will be the last time that Team SUZUKI MotoGP will turn a wheel before the test ban commences in December. The team will resume testing in January – also at Sepang – before further outings at Qatar and again in Malaysia. The 2006 MotoGP World Championship is provisionally scheduled to begin at Jerez in Spain on Sunday 26th March. Paul Denning – Team Manager “This is a very important test for us all as it will be the first time that we have the chance to see the prototype bike for 2006. Whilst it will not be in its full and final specification, the work we do in these three days is critical. The factory will be able to analyse the feedback and the data over the winter break and hopefully provide a serious challenger for next year.

“John and Chris are both fired up for the test. John is looking forward to the gruelling development work required and will no doubt be looking to make his mark in this role. Chris was bitterly disappointed that the Valencia test had to be cut short and he is keen to get back on the bike, learn a new track and get some miles under his belt – if he carries on as he started in Valencia, he’ll do great things. “2005 has been a very long and demanding season and we will be looking to finish on a high from this test and leave all Suzuki fans with an air of optimism to carry them through the winter.”