MotoGP 2006 - Catalunya Test (March 3/4/5) -

Rizla Suzuki MotoGP racer Chris Vermeulen continued his consistent pre-season improvement today as he set his fastest time of the weekend, during the last day of testing at Jerez in Spain.

Vermeulen clocked a best time of 1’40.750 using a Bridgestone qualifying tyre and recorded the ninth quickest time overall. The young Australian rider was at Jerez for the first time in his career and continued to impress over the three day test. He completed 77 laps today and worked tirelessly with his technicians to improve chassis settings and rear grip on his Rizla Suzuki GSV-R.

John Hopkins tested a completely new experimental chassis on his bike today. The Anglo-American was so determined to concentrate on getting the best results from the GSV-R in race spec, that he gave up the chance of using qualifying tyres to make sure that the team and factory technicians will have as much data as possible to evaluate before the start of the season. His best time of 1’41.305 was set on Bridgestone race tyres and gave him 13th place overall from his 71 laps – although his time was still one and a half seconds quicker than his fastest race lap from last year. Today’s quickest time was set by Loris Capirossi on a Ducati, also on Bridgestone tyres.

Rizla Suzuki MotoGP will now re-visit and analyse all the results from the pre-season tests to make sure that everything will be the best it can be when the 2006 MotoGP World Championship kicks off at Jerez on Sunday 26th March.

Chris Vermeulen:
“I’ve enjoyed this test, even though I felt I hit a bit of a brick wall today. I managed to get consistently in the high one minute 41 seconds bracket on race tyres but I just couldn’t find that extra bit to bring my times down further – although my team did keep reminding me that this is my first visit to the track and should be pleased with what I have achieved. I am happy with the way the bike and I have improved over the three days and I am sure I can make further advances when we return here for the race. I now can’t wait for my first Grand Prix as a Rizla Suzuki MotoGP rider.”

John Hopkins:
“It’s been a hard three days work here at Jerez. The Rizla Suzuki was not as well suited to the circuit as it had been to Sepang, Qatar and Catalunya. I feel a bit battered and bruised from fighting the bike around the track for over 200 laps but it was worth it because we now have a definite direction to follow when we come here in two weeks for the race. I am really positive about the steps that we have taken as a whole team and I know there is a lot of potential in the new bike and I am now really eager to get back here for the race.”

Paul Denning - Team Manager:
“Both riders and the whole team have worked really hard – not only at this test but over the last few weeks. We are now looking to re-group over the next week or so in time for the first Grand Prix at Jerez and make sure that we are in the best condition for the race. Chris has continued his fantastic growth and he is starting to show his true potential that I am sure will se him pushing John and other established riders right from the start of the season.

“John has again given a faultless performance at this test and sacrificed a fast lap time on a qualifying tyre to make sure he got every bit of testing possible from today. This is the sort of commitment and dedication that I am sure will take him forward this season.”