Vermeulen hopes to help improve Forward Racing bike in MotoGP return
Chris Vermeulen says he hopes he can at least help Forward Racing with its development programme on his return to MotoGP in this weekend's French Grand Prix
The Australian is substituting for Colin Edwards at the leading CRT squad while the latter recovers from the broken collarbone he sustained in a qualifying crash at Estoril a fortnight ago.
Vermeulen has not raced in MotoGP since losing his Suzuki seat at the end of the 2009 season, and his subsequent World Superbike career was disrupted by a knee injury.
Although he was slowest in both Friday practice sessions at Le Mans, where he won for Suzuki in 2007, Vermeulen said he was enjoying being back on a MotoGP bike and hoping to provide the team with some valuable information.
"They're pure race bikes. I was racing Superbikes for a couple of years in between, and they're fun but these are full-on race bikes," he told the official MotoGP website.
"So I enjoyed it from that point of view, but on the other side, there's a hell of a lot of work to do.
"This bike is quite un-developed at the moment and they need information. It's not going to be an easy weekend, but hopefully I'm going to help them in the right direction."
Vermeulen said he was not surprised that he had been off the pace on his first day back.
"They're not easy, and I haven't ridden a race bike in about seven or eight months," he said. "These brakes, the tyres, the type of bike they are, they're not easy on the body, but it was fun.
"It took me a few laps to get up to speed, which I expected, but they're a great bunch of guys and it's a really good motorbike. It's definitely a race bike underneath me and I'm enjoying it so far."
Previous article
Bautista hails step forward in practice for French MotoGP race
Next article
Stoner crashes but returns to go fastest in final MotoGP practice at Le Mans
About this article
| Series | MotoGP |
| Teams | AB Motoracing , Forward Racing |
Marc Marquez is back
MotoGP Starting Grid: Portugal Grand Prix
MotoGP Starting Grid: Doha Grand Prix
Marc Márquez's first ride after his injury
Marc Marquez continues his recovery
What does Marc Marquez have to do to get back to his best?
Following his resounding MotoGP return with a seventh place finish in Portugal, Marc Marquez now must work to rediscover his best form before turning his attention towards results-based targets
How Yamaha’s rookie-spec MotoGP star is taking charge
Fabio Quartararo is on a roll in 2021, having stormed to victory at a venue where he last year served up one of his worst races. Contrasting Portuguese GPs for Yamaha’s factory duo make it hard to understand just how good its 2021 MotoGP bike is, but the Portimao weekend has revealed one key improvement compared to 2020
The hurdles Marquez faces next in his Portugal MotoGP return
Even by Marc Marquez’s own high standards, his MotoGP comeback on Friday at the Portuguese Grand Prix will be considered a success even if he didn’t top the times. But having shown competitive pace on his first day back, both Marquez and his rivals know plenty more challenges are to come
Where does Honda's new MotoGP signing sit ahead of its king's return?
Pol Espargaro’s first results as a Honda MotoGP rider may not appear special. But dig a little deeper and a clearer picture of his performance emerges. And, as Lewis Duncan writes, it’s cause for celebration at Honda with the return of Marc Marquez set to provide Espargaro with the reference he has been missing so far this year
The "pit bull" MotoGP rookie already drawing legendary comparisons
MotoGP’s 2021 rookie crop is one of the strongest in recent years, but one is already standing out. Jorge Martin’s Doha GP heroics have courted many to compare him to numerous MotoGP legends. Autosport spoke to Pramac boss Francesco Guidotti to find out why MotoGP’s latest Spanish star is already making such an impact
Why MotoGP's stewards must revisit Miller and Mir's Losail clash
Despite Suzuki’s decision not to appeal against Race Direction’s refusal to penalise Jack Miller following the incident with Joan Mir in Losail, something must be done to avoid a repeat of such an incident, which could have easily ended in tragedy
Has Yamaha banished its demons with its 2021 MotoGP bike?
Against the expected run of play at Qatar's Losail circuit, both Yamaha riders Maverick Vinales and Fabio Quartararo carved through a resolute Ducati defence to secure back-to-back MotoGP wins for the Japanese marque. After a difficult 2020, it appears that Yamaha has swaggered back into championship contention
Why MotoGP’s top gun looks more dangerous at the Doha GP
Lightning hasn't struck twice for Maverick Vinales since 2017 and his wayward form of recent years makes predicting how he'll fare each MotoGP race weekend tricky. But fresh from his Qatar GP win, Vinales looks like an even more dangerous prospect for the Doha GP following an intriguing Friday practice
