MotoGP news

'Rusty' Vermeulen back on track

After taking a rest for almost seven weeks Chris Vermeulen returned to his Rizla Suzuki MotoGP team on Tuesday for the first out of a three day test at Sepang. Vermeulen completed 57 laps on 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.

Vermeulen 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.

Vermeulen commented on his day of testing: "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."

more news

• 05 Sep.
  • Suzuki extends contracts Capirossi and Vermeulen
• 01 Sep.
  • Pedrosa tops Misano test on Bridgestone debut
  • Photos: Sunday in Misano
• 31 Aug.
  • Pedrosa happy with fourth
  • Stoner bitterly disappointed
  • Rossi delighted with record-equalling win
  • Lorenzo celebrates return to podium
  • Win puts Rossi 75 points clear
  • Hayden to sit out San Marino GP
  • Stoner fastest in warm up
• 30 Aug.
  • Photos: Saturday in Misano
  • Stoner extends record with seventh straight pole
  • Pedrosa satisfied with second row
  • Lorenzo happy to be back
  • Rossi ready for another battle with Stoner
  • Stoner storms to last gasp pole
  • Stoner still fastest on Saturday morning
• 29 Aug.
  • Stoner confident despite aggrevating injury
  • Positive start for Rossi
  • Improvement for Lorenzo
  • Stoner fastest on Friday
  • Stoner sets morning pace
• 26 Aug.
  • Stoner determined to bounce back
  • Gresini riders aim high for Misano
• 22 Aug.
  • Repsol Honda back to full strength
• 20 Aug.
  • Melandri confirms Kawasaki move
• 19 Aug.
  • Nakano wraps up positive test for Gresini
  • Stoner ends test with threatening pace
  • Rossi confident for final rounds after test
• 18 Aug.
  • Good test ends strong weekend for Rossi
  • Ducati top test with Stoner
• 17 Aug.
  • Dismal end to disappointing weekend for Pedrosa
  • Stoner rues costly mistake
  • Encouraging results for Gresini
  • Rossi celebrates crucial victory
  • Rossi storms to win as Stoner crashes
  • Stoner still ahead in warm-up
• 16 Aug.
  • Photos: Saturday in Brno
  • Pedrosa struggles in qualifying
  • Rossi hoping for dry race

Homepage