Fujiwara puts Suzuki on Supersport podium.

Katsuaki Fujiwara raced the new Suzuki GSX-R600 to its first podium position of the season in the opening round of the World Supersport Championship in Valencia, as all three Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra riders filled top six positions.

Fujiwara, who came off an intravenous drip on the morning of race day after waking up with a temperature,, took third place in an exciting race, with team-mates Stephane Chambon fifth and Vittorio Iannuzzo sixth.

"I think a podium is a great way to start 2004!" the Japanese rider commented, "I'm very happy to be on the podium for many reasons. Our bike is new, this is our first race on Pirelli tyres and also because, this morning, I had a high fever. If it had not have been for some medicine and then the drip, I would've struggled to make the start!

"As it was, in the early stages of the race, I found it a little hard to concentrate. But after a while, I just got down to riding hard. My Alstare Suzuki GSX 600R worked well, but the tyres started sliding after about ten laps, although I think maybe everybody had the same problem."

Chambon admitted that he was happy with fifth place after the problems he had had in practice.

"Fifth is what I had hoped for before the race but, because of the tricky conditions, it could've so easily been eighth, ninth or tenth!" the Frenchman revealed, "I had a small problem with the rear spring in the race and the tyre started to go off after eight or nine laps - but that could've also been because of the rear spring problem. Up to now, I haven't done a complete race distance before this weekend, so now we have a good result and a lot more information with which to work."

Iannuzzo was equally content with sixth, having started the race from the fifth row.

"I made quite a good start and picked up place after place," the youngster reported, "Today, I had a much better feeling with the bike and that meant I was more comfortable about pushing a bit harder.

"The tyres were a bit of a problem after about fifteen laps and then it was difficult to open the gas hard. Towards the end of the race, I had a good fight with Chambon. I might have fought harder if we were chasing a podium, but I didn't want to cause any dramas over fifth or sixth. It's a great start for me and the whole team."