Suzuki embark on Australian excursion

Electing against accompanying the majority of their MotoGP rivals in Jerez, Rizla Suzuki will continue the development of their 2009 GSV-R at the Phillip Island circuit in Australia this week. Loris Capirossi and Chris Vermeulen will be joined by test rider Nobuatsu Aoki from Wednesday for a three-day test, their final chance to ride in 2008.

Aside from being a shorter journey for local boy Vermeulen, the venue for this week´s run-out has been chosen for its unique demands on 800cc machines and to resolve some problems encountered this past October on raceday `Down Under´. Coming particularly under the spotlight will be engine performance and rear grip improvement.

`This will be a very important test for us as we will be able to see where we are at the moment for next year. Suzuki has been working really hard since the last test at Valencia and we will have lots of new parts to try out at Phillip Island,´ says Capirossi, who last week took part in wind tunnel testing in Japan as part of Suzuki´s search for better aerodynamics.

`We need to make the most of these three days as we don´t have as many tests over the winter. It will also be good to have Nobu there to give us some extra info and try out all the newest parts to see their durability and performance.´

Vermeulen adds: `This is only the second test since the single tyre rule was introduced so it will be interesting to see how the new compound we now have to use performs at a circuit that is always tough on tyres. We have had some problems at Phillip Island, but if we find something that works well there then it will almost certainly work even better at other tracks.

`It feels like a long while since we last tested the bike and it will be interesting to see all the new parts that the factory has got for us to try – hopefully they will be a big step in the right direction!´

Whilst the regular riders will be undertaking a general workload, Aoki will be helping out with the assessment of the prototype chassis and engine parts.

Suzuki´s Australian excursion will also see them sharing the track with Kawasaki, who have similar reasons for heading to `The Island´.