Suzuki pair expect another step forward

The team are chasing a fourth consecutive top three finish after Vermeulen reached the podium at the Sachsenring and Laguna Seca, and then Capirossi did likewise at Brno.

Following that result Capirossi declared that Suzuki were now heading back towards race-winning form, and he hopes the developments introduced in this week's test will get them even closer to the front.

"We had a good test at Brno and now I go to my second home race after a podium, and after finding some really positive things in the test that will help us for the rest of the season and in the future," he said.

"It was great for me to get a podium, but I know we can start pushing for more and that must be the next step. Everybody is working hard and now that I am back to full fitness I can push as hard as possible to try to make it happen."

Vermeulen was second at Misano in 2007 and believes he is well-placed to emulate that result this season.

"I really like the Misano circuit and know that I can go well there - as I showed last year with a second place," he said.

"We found quite a few things at Brno both during the race weekend and certainly during the test. We were really pleased with the results from the test and now we must translate them to a race.

"I still need to keep pushing as I know I can be competitive and my crew and Suzuki are doing everything they can to make sure we are challenging the front guys from the start of every weekend."