Rizla Suzuki MotoGP racers Chris Vermeulen and Loris Capirossi started the 2008 pre-season testing schedule in good form today, as both riders recorded times inside the top-four.

Vermeulen completed 57 laps of the 5.5km Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia and recorded a best time of 2’02.074, to give him third place on the timesheets. Team-mate Capirossi also made a strong start to his ’official’ Rizla Suzuki MotoGP career by recording the fourth quickest lap of the track with a fastest time of 2’02.416 during his 61 laps.

Both riders took the first steps in a huge test programme that will continue not only at this test, but also forthcoming events in Australia, Spain and Qatar, to make the Suzuki GSV-R as competitive as possible come the start of the racing calendar. Vermeulen and Capirossi tested new aerodynamics, electronic control strategies, and new Bridgestone constructions and compounds - as well as the new 2008 GSV-R engine - and will also evaluate a new chassis and swing-arm specification, and a further comprehensive test of the latest generation of Bridgestone tyres. Suzuki’s two Grand Prix stars were able to use the 2008 spec engine during today’s tests and although further refinements are still required, both riders noticed a big step in performance from last year’s machine.

Rizla Suzuki MotoGP has two more days at Sepang before it moves on to Phillip Island in Australia next week.

Chris Vermeulen:

“It was good to finally get back out on the bike, although I did feel a bit rusty this morning! It’s been nearly seven weeks off and when I first went out it was quite exciting for the first couple of laps because my GSV-R is a bit quicker than my Suzuki RM250 back at home! Suzuki has done a great job in the off-season and we had a lot of new parts to test on the bike. We tested almost everything and found lots of positives and found new direction in which we could go, which makes it even better. We did a lot of tyre testing for Bridgestone and they have also done a good job since we last rode the bike, so everything at the moment seems to be going well. It’s only the first day, but hopefully tomorrow we can improve on today and take more steps forward.”

Loris Capirossi:

“I am really happy with everything and I think Suzuki, and the test riders, have done a great job with the bike since the last test. We tried many things and we still have more settings and things to try over the next two days to get the best package for me on the bike. I know we have a long way to go still, but this was a very positive first day of 2008! It was also really good to be out in the Rizla blue for the first time as well, I am happy to be part of this family!”

Sepang Test Day One Classification: