MALAYSIAN FRONT ROW FOR HOPKINS AND SUZUKI
24 September 2005 - Suzuki Racing

John Hopkins powered his Suzuki GSV-R to his second front row start in succession after qualifying at this afternoon’s Marlboro Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix.

Hopkins (P3, 2’02.017), had been consistently quick all day and finished the morning session in fourth place. His afternoon qualifying time could have been better but for a couple of slower riders on the circuit on his final lap. They caused the hard-charging Hopkins to lose valuable tenths that almost certainly cost him the chance of his first ever pole position.

Kenny Roberts Jr (P5, 2,02.215), was quickest after the final free practice session and also looked odds-on for a front row start, but the ex-World Champion just missed out on leading the grid at the end of qualifying. His fifth place start will be his best position of the season so far and he will be looking to maintain a competitive position in the race.

Today’s qualifying was held in temperatures of over 40 degrees and the track surface pushed up to 50. This made tyre choice and traction an all important factor and Bridgestone responded to this challenge with four of the top-five riders using its tyres, including pole setter Loris Capirossi.

Team SUZUKI MotoGP will be racing at 15.00hrs (local time), 09.00hrs CET when Roberts Jr and Hopkins will both be looking to continue the good work they have put in already at Sepang.

John Hopkins:

“I’ve got to say I’m quite disappointed really because I want that pole position, but at the beginning of the day if I’d have known I’d have been on the front row I’d have been ecstatic! I had a really good lap going but it was my fault that I got held up with two other riders on my last lap - but that’s what happens. I’m not going to worry about it – it would’ve been nice to get the watch for pole but, ah well.

“We are really concentrating on tomorrow, I think we’re looking pretty sweet for the race. We’ve put in a lot of laps with the race tyres and everything seems to be going pretty well. We’re able to run consistent throughout the life of the tyre and right now we are looking to get the best start possible - it’s time to work on that podium!”

Kenny Roberts Jr:

“We’re again pretty much sneaking up to where we need to be, so that we can be consistent for the race. If we can stay in the 2.03’s or high 2.03’s or at least whatever what are doing now, hopefully the result will be a step forward from what we have been doing all year. Bridgestone has again made significant steps as we can see at the last couple of races and I am able to ride the bike quite differently than I have been able to before the new series of tyres. Hopefully we won’t have any freak things pop up in the race to where I can’t be aggressive, anyway our goal is to have a good result and a positive step forward for Suzuki and for me.”

Paul Denning – Team Manager:

“Overall these are our best qualifying results of the year. Both riders are on the first two rows and we have to be pleased with that. There is always more that you want to achieve and John seemed to be on for pole position and but for catching back markers could have done that. Kenny was slightly frustrated to be back in fifth and had we chosen a different combination of tyres the potential was maybe more.

“Bridgestone again look consistent and strong for the race – Capirossi in particular – but the most important thing for us is not to worry about aiming too high but about aiming for continuous improvement. If the guys can get a good start let’s see if we can fight with front group and hope that we get a decent result. We are all trying our hardest, that’s all anyone can ask.”

Marlboro Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix Qualifying Practice Classification

1. Loris Capirossi (Ducati) 2’01.731: 2. Sete Gibernau (Honda) +0.136: 3. JOHN HOPKINS (TEAM SUZUKI MOTOGP) +0.286: 4. Shinya Nakano (Kawasaki) +0.447: 5. KENNY ROBERTS JR (TEAM SUZUKI MOTOGP) +0.484: 6. Nicky Hayden (Honda) +0.646: 7. Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) +0.681: 8. Carlos Checa (Ducati) +0.688: 9. Marco Melandri (Honda) +0.929: 10. Colin Edwards (Yamaha) +1.074:

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