Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Early reports out of Sepang, Malaysia say that four-time AMA Superbike Champion Mat Mladin rode a Suzuki GSV-R MotoGP racebike on Bridgestone tires at the tropical circuit today, making about 15 laps.

Mladin’s comments regarding the bike matched those made by Suzuki MotoGP riders Kenny Roberts and John Hopkins, according to the team.

Mladin’s times on the GSV-R were about three seconds a lap slower than Hopkins’ times and about two seconds a lap slower than Roberts’ times, according to team sources, which is remarkable considering how little time Mladin had on the bike and the tires.

Hopkins and Roberts have been limited to each making about 20 laps a day, due to technical problems, including continuing problems related to transmission shifting.

Mladin is at Sepang testing his GSX-R1000 Superbike with the Yoshimura Suzuki AMA team.