Team SUZUKI MotoGP ready for Qatari heat Team SUZUKI MotoGP has travelled to the Middle East for what looks likely to be the hottest Grand Prix of the season. Temperatures are expected to be in excess of 40 degrees for this weekend’s Marlboro Grand Prix of Qatar, as Kenny Roberts Jr and John Hopkins aim to continue the strong run of form that has seen them score successive top-10 finishes in the last two races and Hopkins start from the front row at both events. Roberts Jr and Hopkins will need to make the most of their brand new Alpinestars chairs that have been installed in their respective pit-boxes to give them a cooling supply of air in the oppressive heat. The Losail track is situated just over 30 kilometres outside Doha, the capital of Qatar. This will be only the second time the MotoGP has visited the circuit which is located in totally flat and empty terrain. The surface can suffer from a lack of grip due to the dusty and dry conditions and both riders will need to get the best from their Bridgestone tyres to make the most of this technical circuit. Roberts Jr will be racing at the 5.380km long track for the first time he missed last year’s race due to injuries sustained at Motegi. Team SUZUKI MotoGP comes to round 14 of the MotoGP World Championship having already scored more points than it managed to secure in the whole of the 2004 season and will definitely be looking to further improve on that total when racing gets underway for the 22-lap race on Saturday 1st October at 15.00hrs (local time), 14.00CET. Paul Denning Team Manager: “We have had some good performances in the past few weeks and need to continue that form here in Qatar. The heat will be a test for all the riders and machinery, but the biggest demand will be on tyres as track temperatures will be higher than anywhere else this season. We will be working very closely with Bridgestone to find the best solution for Saturday’s race. This was a totally new track for everyone last year and a new one for Kenny this – and grip was the most important factor so we know what to expect. The circuit has now had a lot more usage and I’m sure the track surface will not be as slippery as last year but the high winds may churn up the desert sands and turn it into a motocross circuit to begin with. “Both riders are fit, and growing in confidence with the GSV-R race by race, so we hope to see another strong performance from Team Suzuki.”