Team SUZUKI MotoGP has completed its first test in preparation for the 2006 season at Sepang in Malaysia, with promising results to take into the winter.

John Hopkins used the three day test to evaluate the prototype version of Suzuki’s 2006 GSV-R race bike and both he, and his crew, believes that the new machine has good potential to take them forward. Hopkins was also able to undertake a major evaluation of Bridgestone’s latest developments and completely new Ohlins suspension. The Anglo-American star revelled in his new role of determining the team’s direction for 2006, managing to complete over 150 laps and recording a fastest time of 2’03.0

Chris Vermeulen was at Sepang for the first time in his career and quickly got to terms with the technical Malaysian track, getting more than 170 laps under his belt. His times dropped steadily throughout the three days and he was in a more competitive position at the end of the test, with a quickest time of 2’04.5. He too was able to test new development parts and put in exhaustive runs for Suzuki’s tyre partner Bridgestone.

The hot and humid conditions at Sepang were ideal for the team to put the GSV-R through a series of demanding tests. All aspects of the new prototype bike and the riders’ feedback will now be scrutinised at Japan during the seven-week test ban that comes into operation on December 1st.

Team SUZUKI MotoGP and its two young racers will next be in action at Sepang during late January for the start of an intensive testing programme. The new MotoGP World Championship season is provisionally scheduled to begin at Jerez in Spain on Sunday 26th March.

John Hopkins: “Everything went pretty well really, we got through a lot of stuff – probably the most I have ever got through in a test with Suzuki. The initial feeling towards the new bike was somewhat different but we did some laps on it and got a better feeling quite quickly. The lap-times dropped fairly well and we got the times back to what the old bike was doing. We also got through a lot of tyre testing throughout the week and it looks like Bridgestone have got some good plans for next year. We are now looking forward to the new motor coming in January and if it as good as the factory hopes it is then we can expect good things from me and Suzuki in 2006.”

Chris Vermeulen: “I am really happy with the test. I spent the first day learning the track and getting to know the bike as it was my first real test on the GSV-R and the Bridgestone tyres. I tried out a lot of different things, especially on the second day where I spent most of the time making long tyre runs for Bridgestone – which in these conditions was very tiring. I had hoped to go a bit quicker today but the track was a bit greasy so that wasn’t possible. John’s comments on the new bike seem very promising and we should have the new engine and chassis together in a package for the next test so I’m really looking forward to that."

Paul Denning – Team Manager: “This has been a very good test for us in more ways than one. We have tested a variety of new parts for next season’s bike and have been able to give the technicians at Suzuki some invaluable feedback for them to work on. Both riders have done a really good job with the amount of work we have put them through over the three days.

“John has grown in stature over the test and is enjoying his responsibility of defining Suzuki’s direction for next season. He did a great job on the prototype bike and he really stepped up to the mark in terms of feedback and evaluation. John gave his team the information they needed and as usual he gave 100 percent over the three days. The most encouraging thing for Team SUZUKI MotoGP is that on a totally prototype machine – with a number of technical issues that still need to be improved - he was able to do consistent 2’03 laps and generally be only half a second off the fastest riders and bikes at the test.

“Chris has shown fantastic potential here this week and he is getting stronger and faster every time he gets on the bike. He’s progressed in a very step by step way and is very relaxed. He knows that the first race isn’t till March and he’s not going to prove anything here this week - he has gone about the task of learning to be a Grand Prix rider very professionally. Chris’ feedback has been first class and Bridgestone has been impressed with his ability to give such clear comments on the tyres. All in all it has been a very good first full test for Chris and he certainly knows what he wants and how he wants to get it!

“Overall it was an encouraging test, the bikes ran like clockwork without a single mechanical problem and both of the crews and the riders did a great job. We will now take the results of the test and work on them to get the best package ready for next year.

“I would also like to thank all Suzuki and MotoGP fans for their support this year, we have had our ups and downs but we have never stopped trying and they can be assured that that will not change in 2006. We have a new look team for next season and some very exciting developments on the way that we all hope will push Suzuki back to the front of the field.”