Rizla Suzuki may have been unable to repeat its recent Sepang heroics, when the team took a one-two sweep of the testing timesheets, but Chris Vermeulen and John Hopkins concluded 2006 a fighting fourth and fifth fastest at Jerez - and claim to have been fastest of all on race tyres.

Vermeulen's best time of 1min 40.766secs was set during Bridgestone race tyre development tests and the team stated that his quickest lap was only bettered by riders using qualifying tyres. Fastest man Dani Pedrosa confessed to fitting a qualifier, but second best Valentino Rossi and third placed Marco Melandri didn't publicly reveal the type of rubber they'd used on their best laps.

"Today was the best day weather-wise for us and we got through a lot of stuff," said Chris. "I did over 80 laps and we learnt a lot of things. I did some long tyre runs for Bridgestone and tried many different engine and chassis settings and got some positive outcomes. Personally it is the fastest I have ever been round Jerez and it was great to spend more time on this circuit. We gathered a lot of information here and the guys have a lot to work on during the test ban. They will hopefully be able to prepare an even better bike for us and we'll come back even stronger in Sepang."

Team-mate Hopkins was just 0.283secs slower and delighted at how the 800cc GSV-R had performed at a circuit which Suzuki struggled at during the season-opening grand prix.

"Once again I'd say it's been a really good test for Suzuki," grinned the Anglo-American. "I'm pleased with the way things have gone this week. On the last day we've made some big improvements to the bike and got through a lot of stuff. We worked hard with Bridgestone and I think we got the maximum out of the tyres and the bike here. We've tested strong at all three tests so far and I can happily say we are - like I've said before - in a better position than we ever have been since I've been at Suzuki. It looks like it could be a really competitive season for us next year! Now it's time to go home and put in the hours on the bicycle and the treadmill and get myself ready to race next year!"

Vermeulen and Hopkins will resume their testing schedule at Sepang in Malaysia on Monday 22nd January, after the conclusion of the winter test ban.

"It's been another great test for Rizla Suzuki MotoGP and a positive end to a good season's work," declared team manager Paul Denning. "The GSV-R800 has performed as well as it did in Valencia and Sepang, and the durability was perfect. Today especially, both guys got through masses of work. Neither rider used qualifying tyres, but if they had I'm sure they would have been at the top of the timesheets. As it is, we were pleased to maintain consistent lap-times and speed and make sure that we have the best basis we could possibly have for when we arrive at Sepang in January to continue the development of the new bike."