Chris Vermeulen looking to extend impressive Laguna record

Factory Suzuki rider Chris Vermeulen is confident he can he claim back-to-back podium finishes for the first time in his premier class career in Sunday’s American GP.

The Aussie, who finished third in a rain-lashed German GP at the Sachsenring last Sunday, heads into this weekend’s Laguna Seca clash with a great record at the spectacular California track.

He claimed a pole position in his first full season in MotoGP at Laguna in 2006 and finished a distant second behind dominant compatriot Casey Stoner a year ago.

The former World Superbike runner-up though has never scored two successive top three finishes in his MotoGP career and casting an eye on his prospects in Sunday’s 32-lap race he said: “I really like Laguna and I’ve never won here either so I’ll try. I think everyone will. It’s been a good track for me in the past. I was pole position in 2006, finished second to Casey last year and I’d love to go one step better. But it’s never easy, but it’s a track I enjoy. It is very different to a lot of the European circuits so we’ll see how we’ll go.”