"We've done two days at Valencia, another three days here at Sepang, and now we'll go and do another two days at Phillip Island. By the end of Phillip Island we should really have some very clear direction, which Suzuki can then use to develop more parts in time for the January test here."
With Hopkins 'turning green', Vermeulen has been joined by former Ducati hero
Loris Capirossi for 2008. The pair had several on-track clashes last season, including a qualifying tangle at Shanghai, but neither are the type to take such incidents personally.
"It's great working with Loris," said Vermeulen. "I got along great with John and I'm sure it'll be the same with Loris. We're sharing information and ideas. Everything is going really well."
"Loris has very much lived up to our expectations," said Denning of the nine-times 500cc/
MotoGP race winner, aiming to make a new start after a tough fifth and final year on a Desmosedici. "He's done a huge amount of laps and is, I think, riding with a margin left. He's not hunting for a lap time but seeking to understand the bike. Nevertheless he's lapped faster on our bike than he did during the race weekend on the Ducati. We've no complaints. He's definitely got a huge amount of motivation and seems to enjoy the way the team is working.
"Loris has got so much experience that, technically, it's interesting the amount he's bringing to the party," Denning continued. "He's quite detailed in his analysis, very much like Chris is, so they're quite a good match. They are already working together and talking a lot. They're both very hard racers, and have had a lot of close races together over the last year or two, but I think they'll help each other quite a lot as team-mates, and then go at it hammer and tongs in the races. They've got very similar ideas on what the bike needs to make it better, so that's also going to help."
