ROBERTS JR QUICKEST IN THE WET, SECOND IN THE DRY AT SEPANG
23 September 2005 - Suzuki Racing

Kenny Roberts Jr set the fastest time during this afternoon’s damp but drying free practice session for the Marlboro Malaysian Grand Prix.

Roberts Jr had signalled his intentions during the morning practice by setting the second quickest time on a dry and dusty Sepang circuit. His smooth riding style and the new generation Bridgestone tyres seemed well suited to all types of conditions today and is a great start to the weekend for both Roberts Jr and his hard-working team.

John Hopkins was seventh quickest overall from the two sessions. In full wet conditions in the afternoon he was only bettered by team-mate Roberts Jr. Hopkins’ final time in the afternoon was only beaten as the track started to dry out and other riders were able to take advantage the improving conditions. The best lap of the day was recorded by Sete Gibernau.

Tomorrow sees Team SUZUKI MotoGP take to the track for another free practice session in the morning, to get the set-up of the GSV-R right for the all-important business of the afternoon qualifying session. Round 13 of the MotoGP World Championship will take place on Sunday 25th September at 15.00hrs (local time), 09.00hrs CET.

Kenny Roberts Jr:

“I think today in the wet or dry we were competitive for the first day and we will try to continue it through the weekend. I think we are in a little bit better shape here than we were in Japan, just with the characteristics of the circuit. Over at least three-quarters of the circuit – without the straights – we seem to be able to sneak up on the other guys. I think we are kind of on to something and Bridgestone has made a big step-up in the last couple of races. Wet and dry the tyres seem to be working well but we need more time to get a race tyre for dry conditions – which is what you have got to kind of expect – but who knows!”

John Hopkins:

“Basically it was a bit of a disappointing day really. This morning was quite a waste really because the track was so dirty, you just couldn’t go out and do a decent lap time. We worked with set-up a little bit but I guess you could say it’s like running on used tyres. I think they sandblasted the track yesterday and when I was coming in and de-briefing with the mechanics about the changes, I was sitting there crunching on dirt!

“This afternoon it was wet so we went out to see what we could do on full wets - which was pretty decent – but it dried out too quick and got pretty slippery. Everyone was trying to make the best of the track conditions, but from my point of view we did what we had to do in the wet and we know what we have to do in the drying conditions so I didn’t think that it was going out and throwing it down the road. But if you felt safe doing it what the hell!”

Paul Denning – Team Manager:

“A very promising first day for both riders and we showed today how far the Suzuki GSV-R and the Bridgestone tyres have improved since the start of the season. Today was Kenny’s best first day of the season so far and he showed how well he can ride in all types of conditions.

“John still has a few things to work on and it is always a good thing to see a rider who is hungry to improve on his performance every time he takes to the track – I fully expect to see him going full on tomorrow.

“We know that we still have a long way to go and we will have to wait and see what the weather will bring as it can be very changeable around here.

“The team are working very hard in the demanding conditions and are still in very high spirits from Japan, we will all be striving to continue on from that and aim for the best results possible.”

Marlboro Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix Combined Free Practice Times

1. Sete Gibernau (Honda) 2’03.299: 2. KENNY ROBERTS JR (TEAM SUZUKI MOTOGP) +0.136: 3. Loris Capirossi (Ducati) +0.178: 4. Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) +0.186: 5. Alex Barros (Honda) +0.325: 6. Carlos Checa (Ducati) +0.489: 7. JOHN HOPKINS (TEAM SUZUKI MOTOGP) +0.547: 8. Makoto Tamada (Honda) +0.652: 9. Colin Edwards (Yamaha) +0.755: 10. Max Biaggi (Honda) +0.799:

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