Q&A: Suzuki team manager Jens Johansson.

Team Suzuki will start the 2004 Motocross Grand Prix season with a new rider line-up and machine, with Joel Smets replacing Mickael Pichon and the new RM-Z 450 four-stroke replacing the RM250 two-stroke of previous seasons.

Here, team manager Jen Johansson answers questions on Suzuki's build-up so far and his hopes for the upcoming season...
Q: How has the switch to four-stroke technology been for the team?
Jen Johansson: Well, obviously we have a new bike to learn and work with and not a great deal of time in which to do it. The World Championships begin in less than two months and we only tested for the first time in October. There is a lot to take in and try out. It has been, and continues to be, a steep learning curve.
Q: What are your impressions of the new bike?
JJ: We do not have a great deal of experience with four-strokes and it is difficult to know what kind of level we are currently working at. You can be World Champion so many times in testing but then you arrive at the first GP and all of a sudden you're struggling. The pre-season races cannot come soon enough. One pleasing thing is that the bike has kept running. Obviously there were a few issues with a motorcycle that has come straight out of the box but we started with an open mind as to how the four-stroke would work and in terms of reliability it has been good.

You can always improve engine performance but in terms of chassis the bike has proved to be very rideable. The suspension still needs dialling in but from early tests during November on hard tracks in Luxembourg and the south of Belgium we were pleased. Since then we have been mainly in the sand.
Q: What does Joel Smets think about the RM-Z and has he settled in smoothly with the team?
JJ: Joel has been careful with his comments but he has made it clear that he believes we have a good base to start from. He has the experience on the KTM to work with and so far has not found one area to fault on the RM-Z.

Joel is a friendly guy and up to now has been a pleasure to work with. Living nearby it is very easy to go riding or testing with him two or three times a week. He is happy to ride the bike a lot and clock up the kilometres. In a race situation at a GP things may be different because there is more tension and everybody can get stressed but we'll have to wait and see about that!
Q: What about Kevin Strijbos - another learning experience ahead of him?
JJ: I have been impressed by Kevin's adaptation. He has a smooth style and this lends itself to the four-stroke. He is looking good. The bike feels heavier and has more power so maybe he needs to just work on the physical side.
Q: What are you hopes for the 2004 GP campaign?
JJ: This team has a great record and a decent pedigree, nobody here is expecting the World Championship in our first season, this would be a dream, but we have to accept that our competitors have a four year advantage in four-stroke MX competition.

With the riders we have we are confident we will up there at the front. The whole year is important to us in developing this bike and making it as successful as the two-stroke, not just the 16 GPs, so 2004 will be an important time for the team and one where we do not want to lose any of our hard-earned status.