Schwantz and Rossi hail 'rain wizard' Vermeulen

Suzuki legend Kevin Schwantz hailed Chris Vermeulen’s stunning rain-lashed Le Mans victory as ‘amazing.’

American Schwantz, who won the world 500 title for Suzuki in 1993, was raving as Vermeulen gave the Japanese factory its first four-stroke MotoGP success.

Schwantz said: “To start a race in the dry, figure how wet it is on slicks, come in and jump on another bike and straightaway have to adapt to new conditions – to me that was amazing.

“He was so smooth I never saw him get out of line. That takes incredible focus, concentration and skill.”

Valentino Rossi also praised Vermeulen and said: “Chris is the rain wizard. He rode unbelievable and I tip my hat to him.”

Vermeulen’s Le Mans victory made it a fourth win in five 800cc races for Australian riders.

With Casey Stoner third in France it was the first time two Aussie riders have stood on a premier class podium since Mick Doohan and Daryl Beattie were first and second in the Argentina GP 12 years ago.

And with Troy Bayliss winning the last 990cc race in Valencia last year, Aussie’s have now won five out of the last six races,