MotoGP: Chris Vermeulen happy to partner Loris Capirossi in 2008

Australian Chris Vermeulen has told MCN he would relish the chance to partner Italian veteran Loris Capirossi in the 2008 MotoGP world championship. 

It is expected the current factory Ducati will finally agree to a switch to Suzuki next season before the start of this weekend’s Brno MotoGP clash in the Czech Republic.

A Suzuki switch would see him replace John Hopkins instead of joining the American at Kawasaki as has been highly rumoured during the summer.

Chris Vermeulen signed an extension to his current contract with the British-based Suzuki squad at the previous round in Laguna Seca after he had held talks with Kawasaki and Yamaha.

Asked what he thought about the prospect of joining forces with triple world champion Loris Capirossi, the former World Superbike championship runner-up, said: “I’ve heard the rumour. I think he’d be good. I’ve got a lot of respect for Loris and he’s been around a long time.

“He was world 125 champion in 1990 and I was only seven-years-old then!

“He’s someone I rate and he’s fast and if he did come to Suzuki he would bring a lot of experience.”