Loris Capirossi: Phillip Island test is ‘massive’ for Suzuki

Italian Loris Capirossi insists his next winter test session will be crucial to the 2009 prospects of Suzuki’s factory MotoGP squad.

Capirossi will make his final track appearance at a three-day test session in Phillip Island next week, which will be the last chance for the triple world champion and Chris Vermeulen to have input into the 2009 GSV-R.

Capirossi, who tested a revised V4 motor in Valencia, is hoping to have a new GSV-R motor to evaluate and he told MCN: “I have a lot of expectation on Suzuki for this test because we had a really tough season and we have to imrove the package a lot.

“We understand that our bike is not competitive enough. We tested in Valencia with some parts for the engine and it was a little better compared to what we had last season, but we have to make many more steps. We were always slow on the straight and in acceleration we were losing a lot.

“Suzuki has agreed with that and we will try another step in Phillip Island. We also have fairings and chassis to test so there is a lot of stuff to do at that test. Those three days are going to be really important because it is nearly three months before we are back on track in Malaysia in February, so we have to decide everything for next year.

“In Sepang we will have the 2009 bike, so we have to make sure it is ready. We know we have to work on the engine, but also on the chassis side, particularly with the single tyre rule.”