New 16.5-inch rears to solve Suzuki's problems?

There is a special reason to look forward to the Catalunyan GP. The 2001 season - the last all two-stroke 500cc World Championship - had seemed somewhat cut and dried over the first three races. But then the battle took on a different complexion. And defending World Champion Kenny Roberts has played an important role in the change of hue.

Kenny and Team Telef?nica MoviStar Suzuki team-mate Sete Gibernau had a relatively disappointing start to the season, after what Roberts described as "Bad Karma" had interfered with their testing schedule.

Steady hard work has changed the picture, and over the last two races Roberts has been back where he belongs - up with the fast men, challenging for pole position and leading races.

At the last round, atrocious weather meant that Roberts (in company with several other top riders) did not make it to the finish, one of a number to fall in the streaming rain. But, as he said afterwards, "At least I was racing for the lead."

At the same time, Sete soldiered on through the blinding spray to take sixth, the Spanish star's best result so far in his first season on the Suzuki.

The change has come about through steady development, maximising the new 2001 chassis and motor step by step in a continual programme of refinement.

The team was hoping for another significant step at Catalunya, the second of three visits this year to Spain. Earlier this year, team and technical adviser Warren Willing worked closely with Michelin to develop a new generation of 16.5-inch rear tyres. The French manufacturer hoped to have the tyres available for Catalunya.

Of course, they will be available to all Michelin users - almost the entire 500 class. But the tyres have been developed with and around the Suzuki, and by rider Roberts, which at least gives the team a head start.

Tyres are always a major issue, but have been even more so over recent races. The smaller rear rim size has been almost universal, until at the last race Roberts led a small-scale switch back to the 17-inch tyre, which helps corner speed, but until now has not been as good at endurance, hurting race average speeds. The latest tyres mean there is a third element to consider.

The Catalunya GP is the sixth round of the 16-race season, on the cusp of the first and second terms of a long season.

"Over the last few races, we've seen a gradual improvement. The team has always been confident of our potential, but it's good to feel that we're getting back where we belong," said team manager Garry Taylor.

"There's a long season ahead, and if we keep on doing what we've been doing so far and keep on getting better, then the results will come with it."

"As far as the new tyres go, I don't know yet whether we will use them," revealed Roberts Jr. "We may stick with the 17-inch like at Mugello. I could get a good lap time with that, and then we'd see how it would last the race. Instead it rained and we didn't see anything. Literally!

"Catalunya, like Mugello, has been one of the tracks we generally struggle at," admitted the American. "There's some corners where you come off on the lazy part of the engine, where our bike isn't strong; and the long straightaway doesn't favour us either. I always go there expecting a tough weekend - but last year we won the race. That was due to the rain, and more rain this year would make all the difference. I'm hoping the weather will stay perfect until Sunday, like last year. I'll work to get on the front row, then try and win the race again."