ENCOURAGING AUSTRALIAN TEST FOR TEAM SUZUKI MOTOGP
19 February 2005 - Suzuki Racing

Team SUZUKI MotoGP completed its pre-season test at Phillip Island in Australia today with encouraging results.

Kenny Roberts Jr and John Hopkins had a busy three-day schedule, with emphasis placed on the latest engine control systems and an extensive Bridgestone tyre test. Many new updates are now expected for the all-important Official MotoGP Tests in March, following on from the lessons learnt in Malaysia and now Australia.

Both riders tested numerous new Bridgestone race compound and new construction tyres throughout the test. This allowed technicians and riders to analyse and compare vital data to improve all aspects of handling and control of the GSV-R over race distance.

Hopkins was especially pleased with the tyre test. He said: ''Bridgestone have done a great job this week, they''ve made a race compound tyre that I''m really happy with - definitely the best I''ve ever used - so this is a really positive move for me and another step in the right direction.''

Roberts Jr was also happy with the progress made on all fronts, particularly on the engine control systems. He left the test looking forward to the next steps from Suzuki which will take the GSV-R''s increasingly competitive potential to the next level. Having missed the 2004 Australian GP through injury, this was also a good chance to re-familiarise himself with the challenging Phillip Island circuit.

Operations Manager Howard Plumpton said: ''This has been another constructive test for Team SUZUKI MotoGP. We have again made more improvements to the GSV-R and are leaving Phillip Island with lots of valuable data. This test was not about lap times but progressing with the development of the bike. Even so, high 1min30secs lap times are a big step forward from our 2004 pace and are a lot closer to the front runners. It is clear we still have to improve but everybody is pushing hard to achieve those improvements. The support from Bridgestone has again been excellent and I know they are working very hard on making the right tyres for the GSV-R- this has been emphasised by John''s upbeat reaction to the new compounds.''

Team SUZUKI MotoGP now travels to Spain for the first Official MotoGP Test at Barcelona on March 18th-20th, in preparation for the new MotoGP World Championship season beginning at Jerez in Spain on April 10th.

www.suzuki-racing.com

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