Vermeulen aims to improve qualifying form

The Australian is currently tied on points with teammate John Hopkins in the riders' championship, but while Hopkins has qualified ninth or better for every race this season, Vermeulen has only made the top 10 on the grid twice.

"I know what I need to do as far as qualifying goes," said Vermeulen. "As I've shown this year I can be competitive in the race."

The 24-year-old added that he was looking forward to the next round of the season at Donington, where he achieved his best qualifying result in dry conditions last year.

"I really like the Donington circuit, and I got my best dry grid position - up to that time - there last year," he said.

"I just need to be starting higher up the grid, and I am certainly planning to change things here."

Vermeulen has plenty of experience at Donington, as he raced in Britain before moving on to the international stage full-time in 2001.