bMoto

Rizla Suzuki MotoGP racers John Hopkins and Chris Vermeulen continued with their impressive testing schedule, by taking more positive steps forward during day two of the Jerez test in Spain.

After losing most of yesterday to the rain and having to wait for the track to dry out this morning, Hopkins and Vermeulen quickly got down to business and were regularly amongst the fastest riders. Hopkins time of 1’41.205 on his new Rizla Suzuki GSV-R800 was just over half a second off the lap record – held by Valentino Rossi on a 990cc machine.

Hopkins completed 50 laps of the 4.4km Spanish circuit, and Vermeulen circulated 49 times as he recorded a quickest time of 1’41.619. Today’s fastest time was set by Rossi.

Both Suzuki riders used today to test new generation Bridgestone tyres and worked with their respective crews on base settings to find the best set-up for their new bikes.

Jerez unofficial lap times:

1. Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) 1’40.688: 2. Dani Pedrosa (Honda) +0.111: 3. Colin Edwards (Yamaha) +0.498: 4. JOHN HOPKINS (RIZLA SUZUKI MOTOGP) +0.517: 5. CHRIS VERMEULEN (RIZLA SUZUKI MOTOGP) +0.931: 6. Casey Stoner (Ducati) +1.014: 7. Loris Capirossi (Ducati) +1.556: 8. Marco Melandri (Honda) +1.781

Press release and photo courtesy of Rizla Suzuki.