Vermeulen rates rivals

Aussie Chris Vermeulen reckons Yamaha’s new YZR-M1 has set the early benchmark in the new 800cc MotoGP era with the new season due to kick off in less than three weeks.

The factory Suzuki rider admitted he expects the racing to be closer than ever when the red light goes out in Qatar on March 10, 2007 but believes Suzuki is in its strongest position to mount a challenge in years.

He said: “Yamaha seems unstoppable and Ducati is always fast in the straight. I think we are in there.

“We are competitive with everybody else, but in this bloody championship everybody is competitive and trying to get a break and an advantage is so small. 

“We are much better prepared than we were this time last year.”