Vermeulen sees further podium potential in improving Suzuki

Rizla Suzuki´s Chris Vermeulen has hit form over the past two races, placing on the podium at both Sachsenring and Laguna Seca. The Australian had been expected to do well at the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix having had a fine portfolio of previous results stateside, and didn´t disappoint as the only rider to match the kind of pace laid down by Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner.

The latest rostrum result gives a welcome boost to Suzuki, and Vermeulen believes that his upturn in fortunes has come about as a result of both his own comfort on the bike and improvements to the machine itself from the Japanese factory.

`We´ve been working well with the bike, making some small improvements here and there, and they all add up,´ says Vermeulen, the factory´s only podium finisher thus far in 2008.

`The Suzuki is becoming a nice bike to ride right now; quicker and quicker and closer to the front. I think we can challenge for the podium more often now; it´s never going to be that easy but we´re getting closer and I´m looking forward to the next races.´

Vermeulen´s next attempt at a rostrum will come at Brno next month, where Rizla Suzuki placed second last year courtesy of John Hopkins.