Le Mans MotoGP: Suzuki duo eager to find form

Chris Vermeulen and Loris Capirossi are hoping to turnaround Suzuki’s dismal 2009 fortunes in this weekend’s French MotoGP clash in Le Mans.

A promising pre-season testing campaign has been followed by bitterly disappointing results in the first three races, with only one top six finish scored in the opening three races.

Aussie Vermeulen, who won a rain-lashed Le Mans MotoGP race in 2007 for his solitary premier class win, said: “I am really looking forward to going back to Le Mans as it holds some great memories for me and has a special place in my heart.

“I managed a fifth there last year and I will certainly be looking to better that this time out.

“We have had a tough start to the season and the results have certainly not gone our way for one reason or another, but we need to learn from what has happened and make sure we come out stronger through the rest of the season.”

Italian veteran Capirossi too said it was time for the new factory GSV-R to start showing it potential. And the triple world champion believes that the switch back to the one-hour practice and qualifying format will help the Rizla-backed team.

Practice time had been slashed by 25 per cent to save on engine mileage in the current global economic crisis.

Capirossi said: “I have said before that I have been disappointed with the results so far this season and I want to be able to show just what the GSV-R and the whole team are capable of.

“We now have a bit longer to work on the bike with the increased practice sessions and hopefully we can iron-out the few things that we need to make us more competitive.

“I know that we can be closer to the front and challenging the top guys, we just seem to need that bit of luck and things to go our way for a change.”