Vermeulen confident of improvement

Capirossi was ninth fastest in the morning, but was just two-tenths slower than the third-fastest time, while Chris Vermeulen went third-fastest after the heavens opened for this afternoon's session.

"It's been a positive first day at Phillip Island and a lot better than we have had in the last few years," said Vermeuelen.

"The whole team and factory have worked really hard since the test here early in the year and - like everybody knows - we've had a new chassis in the lead up to this Grand Prix and this has all definitely helped the bike in all conditions.

Vermeulen was near the bottom of the times in the morning, half a second slower than teammate Capirossi, after conserving tyres: "This morning we didn't do our best laptime but we stuck with one set of tyres - which were not the stickiest we had in our allocation - and worked on getting the best set-up we could.

"In the rain this afternoon we worked on pretty much the same thing and I think we have a very good base set-up that will also help us to improve tomorrow."

Despite his relatively good pace in the morning, Capirossi ended the day not entirely happy with his bike's set-up, particularly in the wet afternoon session.

"This morning was not too bad for us, we made a few changes and we looked to be moving on with the set-up of the bike for those conditions," explained the Italian.

"This afternoon it was really cold and when it is like that it is really difficult to get the tyres warm and get the grip we are looking for. We tried to modify a few things but we never really found the right solution.

"We have some ideas to go much softer with the setting and then put more weight on the tyre. I am not that happy when conditions are like this, it looks like being cold again tomorrow but not raining - I hope that is the case."

Suzuki team manager Paul Denning was happy with the efforts of both his riders and the improved showing of the Suzuki bike after a day of changing conditions.

"Chris went very well in the wet this afternoon which was very good to see, but the most important result of today is that we can judge that we have taken a step forward with the GSV-R at Phillip Island in terms of chassis geometry and power delivery, both of which are helping to make a more consistent laptime," confirmed Denning.

"In the dry Loris was only 0.2 seconds away from third place and was able to lap very close to his best time on tyres which were at the end of quite a long run.

"Obviously for both conditions we've still got a heap of work to do to close up to the front guys, and we know there is a lot more work to do with the bike to take it to where Suzuki feel that it can be, but at the same time the direction is correct and that gives us confidence for the rest of the weekend and for the future potential."