Capirossi Confident About Upcoming Season

After finishing in top three in almost every single Sepang test conducted in the past, Loris Capirossi admitted he has high expectations about the upcoming season, especially thanks to the performances shown by his new bike. And speaking about the motorcycle, Capirossi reckoned he enjoys his new bike and, with the help of a few more settings, the upcoming season can't be anything but successful.

"I like the bike," Loris Capirossi told Motosprint. "We aren't 100 per cent engine-wise but in Qatar, on a track where we had always suffered, we didn't go bad at all. At the moment I'll just say that we can be competitive. I'm saying this because when we got to Malaysia I told myself: 'if we are quick by the time we leave this place, then that means we are really competitive.' The same thing happened in Qatar."

However, the bike still needs a bit more engine power, the Italian said, but there's nothing that can't be done before the official start of the season.

"But this is a type of work that can't be done on the track, it must be done back home, at the racing department. We can only do what we've done so far: work on engine mapping and set-up. We are finding better rideability, but we need more horsepower when we are on the straight."

Capirossi, who is a former 250cc World Champion for Aprilia, is confident he'll do well on the Jerez testing ground. "Now I'm looking forward to Jerez. If we are competitive there too, then it means we are ready for a fine season," he said.

Capirossi joined Suzuki in 2008, reaching the podium only once and finishing the season on the 10th place with 118 points.