Suzuki riders expect more progress

Both riders were delighted with the latest Suzuki after running in the top six in the previous tests at Sepang and Losail - but did feel that the bike needed more power to really get on terms with pace-setters Yamaha and Ducati. Vermeulen hopes that the team's efforts since Losail earlier this month will help close that gap.

"The Jerez test can't come soon enough for me," he said. "After the first two tests, where we have made some good advances, it will be interesting to see what improvements the factory has made after all the data we supplied from Sepang and Qatar - I am sure the technicians are doing all they can to find what we are looking for."

Capirossi is also expecting further progress at Jerez, and believes Suzuki can realistically target victories this year.

"We have had a good start to the year, but we must continue to improve," he said. "I believe that Suzuki will give us a bike that we can win on and I can't wait to see the latest version that we get at Jerez."

The two-day Jerez test will feature the traditional televised qualifying simulation on Sunday lunchtime. Vermeulen said this will be particularly important this year given the change to control tyres.

"It will be the first time we've had a timed session - similar to a new qualifying session - with the single rule tyres," he said.

"This will give us a good chance to gauge what we could possibly expect from qualifying in the coming season."