From a press release issued by Team Suzuki:

ROBERTS RETURNS FOR FINAL MOTOGP

Kenny Roberts Jr. will rejoin team-mate John Hopkins at this Sunday’s Valencia GP, the final round of the 2004 MotoGP calendar, determined that recent injuries will not prevent him from taking part in a pivotal race for the factory Suzuki MotoGP team.

The 2000 World Champion was the worst hurt of six fallers in a first-corner tangle at the Japanese GP at Motegi on September 19, suffering a dislocated left elbow among other injuries, and missing the next three races as he underwent remedial treatment at home in the USA.

His target was to return to Valencia – and the 31-year-old American aims to attain that goal – to take part in what is a special event for the team.

The race at the twisty circuit outside Valencia is not only the end of a tense and dramatic championship year; it will give three newly-crowned 2004 champions a chance to parade their triumph in front of a mass of fans.

It is not only the climax of a fruitful year of development for Suzuki’s fast-improving GSV-R 990cc MotoGP prototype: It also marks a significant change-over for the factory’s racing team. The Valencia GP is the last race after almost three Grand Prix decades for retiring team manager Garry Taylor, and an introduction to the team for fellow Englishman Paul Denning, who will take over Taylor’s role in 2005.

Taylor is the longest-serving team manager – and has served the Suzuki team for 29 years. His experience runs from the era of the legendary double-champion Barry Sheene through two more World Championships, with Kevin Schwantz and Kenny Roberts Jr.

His record of of 378 GPs is more than half – 60 per cent of all races in the 500 and MotoGP class – and includes 57 GP wins, 154 podium finishes and 56 pole positions.

The Valencia GP will be his last and he is approaching the milestone feeling “surprisingly relaxed about it.” Taylor will be handing over a tight-knit and very experienced team with a fine back catalogue and a recent log of continually-improving results.

“Of course I want to see Suzuki succeed in the future and I’m sure Paul will achieve that – he’s the right man in the right job at the right time,” said Taylor. “I shan’t miss the racing, because I’ll be able to see that on TV. But I shall miss some great people in the paddock, and especially the Suzuki team members, who have given me such loyal support over the years.”

The retiring team manager added: “This is a very exciting time for Suzuki, for the MotoGP team, and for Suzuki people all over the world.”

Denning is moving into GP racing after serial success – including the prestigious 2004 British Superbike Championship – with the Crescent Suzuki team.

“I’m very much looking forward to my first weekend with the MotoGP team to get my own viewpoint on the strong and less strong points,” said Denning.

“Valencia will be like a crash course – on where the team is at, and how to move it forward. I’ll be looking to Garry Taylor for help, with his years of experience with the team; and looking for ways to continue the strong development of this year to make the Suzuki GSV-R regularly competitive in 2005,” he said.

The 220-plus horsepower 990cc V4 GSV-R has made significant progress during 2004 to become a regular challenger for front row qualifying positions and strong top ten results. Valencia closes a highly promising season for the factory squad and opens the doors to future efforts to regain the winning positions.

KENNY ROBERTS – AN IMPORTANT RACE:

“My elbow has been recovering steadily and I’m coming to Valencia with the hope and belief that I will be able to ride. Garry Taylor’s last race is the end of an era for Suzuki and we’re already working on starting a new one. I want to be there.”

JOHN HOPKINS – A GOING-AWAY PRESENT FOR GARRY:

“I’ve spent plenty of time testing at Valencia, though never on Bridgestone tyres. It’s the kind of track I like – lots of hard braking; and I hope the weather stays dry. It’s Garry’ s last race and I’m definitely aiming to put it on the box for him as a going away present.”

ABOUT THIS TRACK:

Named in honour of the late former World Champion Ricardo Tormo, the track at Valencia was first used in 1999 and typifies the new-millennium style of stadium circuit with vast grandstands and natural hillside terraces offering spectators a view of almost the entire 2.489-mile length from a number of vantage points. This is because the full lap has been crammed into a very compact area, looping back and forth and then back again in front of the avid Spanish fans – more than 100,000 fans are expected to pack the circuit. For riders, the layout of many corners means a lot of hard braking, but only a few overtaking opportunities, but careful design has given the track a fast straight and some challenging faster corners as well. The lap starts with an epic left-hander and closes with a series of medium-speed corners taken at high lean angles, but with the rider both braking and accelerating while at maximum lean. It is a stimulating riding challenge.

ABOUT THIS RACE:

The European season started in Spain at Jerez, and closes at Valencia; the third GP on Spanish soil (Catalunya is the other), and the fourth on the Iberian peninsula, which adds in the Portuguese round at Estoril. This year, for the third time, the Valencia race closes the season. With all the championships already decided and the pantalooned Valencia fireworks brigade in full force, a party atmosphere is guaranteed.

GP DATA:

Ricardo Tormo Circuit, Valencia.
Circuit Length: 2.489 miles – 4.005 km.
Lap Record: 1:33.317 – 96.006 mph / 154.506km/h. V Rossi (Honda), 2003.
2003 Race Winner: Rossi.
2003 Race Average: 47:13.078 – 94.868 mph / 155.907 km/h.
2003 Fastest Race Lap: See lap record.
2003 Pole Position: Rossi 1:32.478.
2003 KENNY ROBERTS: 11th, qualified 18th (Suzuki).
2003 JOHN HOPKINS: 13th, qualified 17th (Suzuki).