The Rizla Suzuki team jumped into the final round in the U.S. with excitement following the proven incorporation of a novel engine in the GSV-R and a string of top 5 outcomes in the leading races, but not for Loris Capirossi or Chris Vermeulen in California.

Capirossi smashed out of the competition at Laguna Seca (his second DNF this year) leaving him disappointed and placing tenth in the World Championship standings. He may now get some hope to put that correct at Sachsenring, where he ended seventh last year, although he was nursing a painful arm injury.

The Italian rider gave his thoughts prior to the Alice Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland, stating, “The last couple of races have been a bit tough on us, which has been pretty difficult as we have worked so hard to get everything right. The crew have certainly been giving all they can and we just didn’t get the solutions we were looking for.”

He also explains, “We have still managed to learn a lot of things about how the Suzuki GSV-R behaves in different situations and on different types of Bridgestone tyres, so all that will be very useful to us in Germany. Sachsenring is not a track that needs a lot of power and speed, but it does require careful balance because you are on the side of the tyre so much. It is a track that I certainly enjoy racing at and believe that we can do well at - we will just have to see what happens this weekend!”

His colleague Vermeulen at slightest finished the race at Laguna, but the Aussie’s eighth placing was definately under the expectations required, considering his prior two visits at this track saw him on the podium, tyre preference apparently letting him fall.

Looking in front to the journey to Sachsenring, Vermeulen explains, “I got a third at Sachsenring last year and although that was in the wet I am sure we can try and repeat that this year in whatever weather we have to contend with. The bike is still working well and seems to improve every time we go out on it The crew have got a good base package and if that works from the start at Sachsenring - and we can get the tyres to match the bike - then I see no reason why we can't be competitive from the first day.”