Rizla Suzuki MotoGP is on its way to Shanghai for round four of the 2008 MotoGP World Championship, in a determined mood to kick-start its season on the 5,281m Chinese circuit.
The Rizla Suzuki GSV-R has shown its potential at the Shanghai International Circuit with a front row qualification plus a podium finish in 2007. New rider Loris Capirossi has also had a front row start at the Chinese track, and the talented Italian will be looking to add to his point’s tally – which is already better this season that it was at the same time last year – as he makes his eastern debut for Suzuki.
Chris Vermeulen had an unlucky accident at Shanghai last year –crashing with new 2008 team-mate Capirossi in qualifying – and unfortunately damaging his foot. He was able to race to a very creditable seventh place - after a race long battle again with Capirossi – but a fully fit Vermeulen will be looking to continue on his upward course that saw him take his best result of the 2008 season so far, last time out in Portugal.
The Shanghai circuit is the newest track in MotoGP and is situated about 30 kilometres outside of the city of Shanghai – the heaviest populated city in China. It has some of the most impressive facilities on the MotoGP calendar, with paddock offices built on stilts over a lake and huge stands for the spectators to watch the action from. The two massive aerofoil wings that cover the start straight are the obvious feature of the track, but it also includes an amazing layout with a very complicated first turn and a kilometre-long straight.
Rizla Suzuki MotoGP takes to the track on Friday 2nd May for two free practice sessions. Saturday will involve another practice followed by an hour-long qualifying session. Sunday’s 22-lap race gets underway at 15.00hrs local time (07.00hrs GMT).
Loris Capirossi:
“I really enjoy Shanghai and I am sure the bike will be good there. As I have said before, we are not where we want to be at the moment and I am determined to go out and start making things happen. Suzuki and the crew are working really hard to make sure I get what I want so in need to start rewarding them with the results we deserve. It is going to be interesting in Shanghai with the extra long straight, which will give the fastest bikes an advantage, but I am sure with our package we can be competitive there.”
Chris Vermeulen:
“I had a good race in China last year even with what happened in qualifying - now Loris is in the same team I hope we will keep out of the way of each other! We made some steps forward in the test after Portugal and I hope we can carry those improvements forward into the weekend. I got my best result of the season at Estoril, but it is not nearly good enough. I need to be challenging at the front and going for podiums - Shanghai seems like a good place to start doing that!”
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