Top six finish for Team SUZUKI MotoGP

[totalmotorcycle]

Top six finish for Team SUZUKI MotoGP

Team SUZUKI MotoGP completed the Official MotoGP test at the Spanish Circuit de Catalunya today with John Hopkins recording an impressive top-six finish in the televised official session to demonstrate the potential of the new 2005 GSV-R.

Hopkins continued with his fantastic form of the previous two days to record a time of 1min43.117, putting his ever-developing Suzuki GSV-R into sixth place in the timed classification. Hopkins was at one stage running in second position on race tyres, reinforcing his position as the fastest Bridgestone-shod rider on track all weekend.

Kenny Roberts Jr crashed out in a high speed corner, but the 2000 500cc Grand Prix World Champion showed his determination by picking himself up and running back to the pit-lane to get his second GSV-R and continue the session.

Roberts Jr's best time of 1min43.911 placed him provisionally in third place early in the test, but he lost so much track time after his crash he was unable to do any laps on a qualifying tyre and finished the session in 14th place. The fastest time was set by Spaniard Sete Gibernau on his home-track - he drives home with a new car for his exploits.

Team SUZUKI MotoGP now travels to Jerez in Spain for another Official MotoGP test next week, before the season starts there on April 10th.

John Hopkins:
"I've had another fantastic day. The GSV-R is running well and I was really pleased with my own performance and that of my team over the three days. Bridgestone has worked to provide us with a great rear tyre and is working hard to improve the front.

"I'm disappointed that I didn't win the car, but if I had maybe my motivation would have gone down for the next test - as it is I am still right up there."

Kenny Roberts Jr:
"Fundamentally I made a basic mistake today that caused me to crash. I was using race tyres and race trim as I was struggling with grip levels for qualifying. I wasn't really interested in lap times - just to be consistent. The tyres had just gone into double digits for laps done and on the second-to-last corner the wind got under the bike and unloaded the front end as I was turning in, from then on I was just along for the ride.

"Overall I am pleased with the test and the Bridgestone tyres are improving all the time. We should be more competitive in Jerez as the nature of the circuit will suit the GSV-R more."

Paul Denning - Team Manager:
"We've had another great test overall, I'm delighted with the whole team. Everyone has worked really hard during the entire test and has shown massive commitment to improving all aspects of Team SUZUKI MotoGP.

"Bridgestone has made a huge effort again this weekend and now has a good direction to improve the tyres further for this circuit. Suzuki's improvement is obvious with the GSV-R consistently being the best performing Bridgestone-shod bike on the circuit.

"The two riders both showed their consistency and commitment to the team, which was epitomised by Kenny running back to the pits to get another bike, but still narrowly missing out on the chance of a fast qualifying lap. John improved all weekend and performed at a very high level - he thoroughly deserved a top-six place.

"I'm now looking forward to Jerez and further testing before we can get down to some proper racing in April."

Kunio Arase - Development Leader in charge of the GSV-R:
"It has been very pleasing for me to see the latest version of the GSV-R perform on the track. We at Suzuki worked hard to improve the power and controllability of the bike and to see it being used at the test was very rewarding.

"I was able to record more data which will assist me with the further improvements we still have planned. Kenny, John and the two Chief Technicians, Tom O'Kane and Stuart Shenton, have been very helpful to me and I think we have a good direction for the future."

MotoGP timed practice classification:
1. Sete Gibernau (Honda) 1'41.851: 2. Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) 1'42.270: 3. Nicky Hayden (Honda) 1'42.507: 4. Marco Melandri (Honda) 1'42.797: 5. Makoto Tamada (Honda) 1'42.823: 6. JOHN HOPKINS (TEAM SUZUKI MOTOGP) 1'43.117: 7. Colin Edwards (Yamaha) 1'43.131: 8. Max Biaggi (Honda) 1'43.423: 9. Alex Barros (Honda) 1'43.504: 10.Loris Capirossi (Ducati) 1'43.531: 14. KENNY ROBERTS JR (TEAM SUZUKI MOTOGP) 1'43.911.