From a Suzuki press release:

SUZUKI KEEPS MOVING FORWARD AT JEREZ TESTS

9th May, 2002.

TELEFONICA MOVISTAR SUZUKI made forward progress at a two-day test at the Spanish Jerez circuit on Monday and Tuesday this week, with both riders confident that their GSV-R machinery is getting more competitive with every lap it completes on track.

The team stayed on after the MotoGP race on Sunday for a scheduled two-day test with its fledgling GSV-R 990cc V-4 race bike. Kenny Roberts Jr finished 8th and Sete Gibernau 9th at the Jerez GP, putting the Suzuki at the forefront of the four-stroke runners in the field.

Unfortunately the second day of the test was rained off, but on the Monday the team was able to gather crucial data to aid in the development programme.

Both Roberts and Gibernau completed around 35-laps each, testing different set-up positions on their bikes and getting re-acquainted with Michelin tyres, after a swap from Dunlop last week.

Both riders were lapping consistently at race pace and left the test pleased with their progress.

Kenny Roberts’ Chief Mechanic Bob Toomey said: “We worked mainly on a few set-up changes and on the Michelin tyres – this was our first test on these tyres. We found improvements and have a direction to go in for the future for further improvements.

“Putting it into perspective, this is a bike that has only been on track for three months and we are delighted by how competitive it is and by the response from the factory on development. We are moving forward very quickly.”

Sete Gibernau’s Chief Mechanic Stuart Shenton said: “We are trying to improve the set-up of the bike. We could have done with more time and the second day of the test, but we managed to isolate a few areas that we will be working on to improve before the next race. We are receiving new parts and information on the bike almost on a daily basis and we are totally committed to making this bike a winner.”

Telefonica MoviStar Suzuki will be attending a wet-track test at Michelin’s factory in France before the French GP at Le Mans on May 19th.