DOES it feel like the MotoGP season is just around the corner? It should do because the Rizla Suzuki MotoGP sqaud has just wrapped up its 2007 post-season test with a 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.
Both riders carried out a huge test schedule " covering nearly 400 laps 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. Speaking the sponsor speak after the test, Chris Vermeulen said:
"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."
His new team-mate Capirossi added: "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."
No lap times have been released by the team so far.
