Suzuki: new bike is best ever

The team unveiled their new machine at Jerez in Spain on Thursday night and are confident that the reduction of engine capacity this year to 800cc has helped them create a bike capable of fighting regularly at the front.

"The change of regulation has produced some interesting, and quite unexpected, testing results over the winter," said Denning. "As a team, we are delighted with what the Suzuki factory has produced - the new GSV-R800 is beautifully detailed, very durable and right on the weight limit.

"In my opinion, it's the best GP bike Suzuki have ever produced, and without doubt it is the best of the 4-strokes so far."

Denning is confident that the GSV-R800 will be good enough to help riders John Hopkins and Chris Vermeulen challenge for victory in 2007.

"John and Chris have performed well over the winter and their fitness levels are superb. They both have to learn the fine art of competing to win at MotoGP level, but this is a bike that will allow them to take that next step - and they both have the ability and commitment to take full advantage.

"2007 should be an incredible year of MotoGP action - we hope that Rizla Suzuki will be a big part of the story as it plays out around the globe."

The GSV-R800 features a new retro livery from title sponsor Rizla and incorporates much of the technology that was on last year's 990cc bike - although drive-by-wire throttle and double injectors are brand new.

The bike has the same wheelbase as the last 990cc model, but the cowling has been reprofiled to improve aerodynamic efficiency.

Hopkins, who is unlikely to test at Jerez this week because of injuries he sustained in a crash at Qatar last week, said: "I think the new bike looks great. We have already had the chance to ride it but this is the first time I've seen the new colours.

"I am looking forward to getting out on the track again and showing what the new GSV-R can do. Suzuki have produced a pretty good package with the new bike and we have performed well in the tests so far so we now need to show what it can do in a racing situation.

"It is a great bike to ride, in fact it is more like a motocrosser rather than a GP bike and also the fact that it carries more corner speed than the 990 certainly suits my riding style."

Vermeulen added: "I really like the new bike, it's very fast and very blue. The bike has had about a 20% reduction in capacity but it feels very similar to last year's bike to throw a leg over.

"The whole off season has been really exciting because Suzuki has seemed to come up with something new at every test so now we just have to keep the momentum going into the races."