Suzuki aims for Qatar podium

After a low-key 2008 campaign, Suzuki has been consistently in the top five in testing since introducing its new bike, leaving veteran rider Loris Capirossi extremely upbeat.

"It was pleasing to finish the test schedule with a good result at Jerez and it shows how far the bike has come on in the winter," he said.

"But now we have to be focused on racing, because we have to keep improving and try to get the best position we can. We want to be on the podium and winning races and I believe that is where we can be.

"Qatar has been a tough track for Suzuki in the past, but the test there earlier this year was quite good and hopefully we can get the season off to a strong start."

His team-mate Chris Vermeulen agreed that Qatar would be an important event for Suzuki given the team's lack of success there in previous years, and thinks a top five would be a good result at this stage.

"Qatar has been a track that we have struggled at in the past, but the new GSV-R seems to be working very well there this year and both Loris and I were well on the pace in the test," he said.

"Hopefully we can stay in the top-five at Qatar, because that is certainly what we are aiming for and if we can it will get the season off to a strong start and give us something to build on throughout the year."