Capirossi fired up for final MotoGP test

Riders will complete their preparations before the start of the season at the Losail circuit on Thursday and Friday, when they will test under the floodlights before returning to the track three weeks later for the season opener.

Capirossi and Suzuki team-mate Alvaro Bautista will have a busy two days, with a testing programme that includes a full evaluation of the new-spec engine to further check its performance and durability.

The team will also test several updated parts to improve the performance of the GSV-R.

"I am totally fired up for the next test; we have only had a few days on the bike this year so we need to get as much done as possible over the two days at Qatar," said Capirossi. "We have a lot of testing to do on the engine, chassis, electronics, in fact almost everything.

"It will be very important to see how the bike is performing this year in changeable conditions, so as it gets colder at night in Qatar that should be a good test of how we stand at the moment.

"The GSV-R worked well in the hotter conditions in Malaysia, but this time out it will be very different and we will all be looking very closely at the data to see how things have changed since we last came to the desert."

Rookie Bautista admitted he is also eager to return to action, the Spaniard saying he feels more confident with MotoGP machinery after every lap.

"After two tests at Sepang it will be good to go to a different circuit to ride the Suzuki and I'm really looking forward to getting out on the bike again," he said. "Each time I ride the GSV-R it feels better and I am starting to find my rhythm with every lap that I do.

"The team and Suzuki can't do enough for me and I know it was a good decision to come to them because this is the support I need and a factory team is the best way to get it.

"I will feel very proud at this test because it is the first time that I will ride my bike with full Rizla colours, so I am really looking forward to that. I know we have a lot of work to do and I can't wait to get started."