Loris Capirossi fitter and stronger for 2009

Italian veteran Loris Capirossi reckons a punishing new training regime has put him in the best physical shape of his long career ahead of his 20th MotoGP campaign in 2009.

The triple world champion has linked up with a new personal trainer in Monaco and has been spending as much as four hours a day to prepare for the new season.

Capirossi’s new fitness levels and a significantly improved 2009 factory Suzuki GSV-R saw him spring the first major surprise of the year during last week’s three-day test session in Malaysia.

Quickest on the first day, Capirossi was never outside of the top three times and eventually ended up third quickest behind Ducati’s Casey Stoner and reigning world champion Valentino Rossi.

“I have been working very hard during the winter with a new personal trainer in Monaco.

“I have been training every day, perhaps too much, but I feel very well, I’m 100 per cent and I want to keep this level of fitness all season,“ Capirossi told MCN.

Capirossi said his new fitness schedule was to help him attack his 20th racing season in better shape than ever before.

And he said he didn’t want to retire knowing that he had not given his all to bow out in style.

“When I finally stop in GPs, whether it is this year or next, I don’t want to go home thinking s**t, I didn’t do things the right way.

“I want to do it 100 per cent, and even though this is my 20th season my brain feels like it is the first season.

“I’m aggressive; I know the bike is good and I want to go quicker,“ added Capirossi.