Vermeulen's new chassis

Aussie Chris Vermeulen will test a brand new tailor-made chassis built just for him tomorrow at the Sepang MotoGP test.

Vermeulen, who was second quickest on the opening day of 2007 winter testing in the Far East, said: “The new chassis is in the direction that myself and my crew decided to go. 

“Hopefully it will work but we will have to wait and see. It’s quite a big change so I’m looking forward to seeing how it works.

“We just wanted to move the mass of the engine and go in a slightly different direction just to feel what it does. 

“We think it will be the right way and help the bike be more stable on braking and be more stable on acceleration when you are driving and looking to put the power through the rear tyre.”

Suzuki came out of the traps flying today after the seven-week lay-off with John Hopkins topping the timesheets as he was the only rider to break the 2.03 barrier. 

He clocked a best time of 2.02.27 to finish almost a second in front of former world champion Valentino Rossi who was third fastest.