Suzuki 'inspired'.

Kenny Roberts turned heads at Jerez when he put the latest evolution of the GSV-R under Valentino Rossi's 2003 Spanish Grand Prix lap record, and beat the best Suzuki race lap by 1.4secs.

Persistent poor weather at Jerez meant that all fast times over the two days were set during a break in the rain on Wednesday afternoon, when Roberts missed out on the top slot - occupied by defending champion Rossi - by just one hundredth of a second. The result also backed up a fighting seventh by the former world champion at the preceding Barcelona test.

"We were limited on time (but) one thing we learned was that our bike is not too finicky to set up. We were able to set competitive lap times as quickly as the other guys," said Roberts. "Running on full race tyres, our times are pretty close to the top bikes.

"As far as the wet conditions go, I made one run and the bike and the tyres had a good feeling. The lap time was competitive so we basically called it a test and packed the crates. Now we're looking forward to South Africa," he added.

Adding to the growing Suzuki optimism was the performance of 20-year-old team-mate John Hopkins, who was sixth fastest at Barcelona despite recuperating from two broken ankles.

"I could have done with some more track time with the season coming up, but the weather thought otherwise at both the tracks," said Hopper of the two official tests. "All the same, I was able to get familiar with the bike and the tyres and to find out for myself that the improvements the team had spoken about in earlier tests works for me too.

"Like I said in Barcelona, one big thing is that you don't have to chase around trying different settings," he confirmed. "The bike works pretty good out of the box and the Bridgestone tyres suit it well, so I've been able to work on my own fitness and feeling instead of worrying about what to change next.

"My ankles are holding up pretty good - no problems. They'll be better still in two weeks for the South African GP," added the Anglo-American.

Team manager Garry Taylor has been through three tough seasons since taking Suzuki to the 500cc crown in 2000 and, while eager to avoid premature predictions of grandeur, couldn't help but admit that the test results have been 'inspiring'.

"Obviously, we had a good couple of tests in Catalunya and Jerez - it's very inspiring for the riders and the whole team, and we're really looking forward to the first race," began the Brit. "We're under no illusions about the amount or work we still have to do - this is still a project in development, with more to come throughout the year, as usual.

"But we've proved to ourselves and everybody else that the progress with the machine has been genuinely significant and that the Bridgestone tyres not only have improved since last year, but also suit our machine very well," Taylor continued. "John is still getting back to full fitness and getting used to the tyres and Kenny left Jerez looking happier than he had in Catalunya.

"We've had a difficult couple of seasons, but now the whole team is confident we've taken a big step towards regaining the form that won us the World Championship in 2000," Taylor added.

Team Suzuki packed up midway through the final day at Jerez because of the persistent rain. The next time the GSV-R machines will be out on track will now be at the season opening Africa's GP, at Welkom on April 18.

Jerez IRTA test - leading day two times:

1. Max Biaggi ITA Camel Honda 1min 53.834secs
2. Ruben Xaus SPA d'Antin Ducati 1min 54.907secs
3. Troy Bayliss AUS Ducati Marlboro 1mins 55.017secs
4. Alex Barros BRA Repsol Honda 1min 55.544secs
5. Nicky Hayden USA Repsol Honda 1min 43.459secs

Jerez IRTA test - overall best times after two days:

1. Valentino Rossi ITA Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha 1min 42.656secs
2. Kenny Roberts Jr USA Suzuki Grand Prix 1min 42.761secs
3. Colin Edwards USA Telefonica Movistar Honda 1min 42.771secs
4. Carlos Checa SPA Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha 1mins 42.927secs
5. Alex Barros BRA Repsol Honda 1min 42.974secs
6. John Hopkins USA Suzuki Grand Prix 1min 43.315secs
7. Shinya Nakano JPN Kawasaki Racing Team 1min 43.384secs
8. Sete Gibernau SPA Telefonica Movistar Honda 1min 43.403secs
9. Nicky Hayden USA Repsol Honda 1min 43.459secs
10. Makoto Tamada JPN Camel Honda 1min 43.539secs
11. Max Biaggi ITA Camel Honda 1min 43.983secs
12. Alex Hofmann GER Kawasaki Racing Team 1min 44.007secs
13. Neil Hodgson GBR d'Antin Ducati 1min 44.144secs
14. Marco Melandri ITA Fortuna Gauloises Tech 3 1mins 44.467secs
15. Gregorio Lavilla SPA Suzuki Grand Prix 1min 44.491secs
16. Loris Capirossi ITA Ducati Marlboro 1min 44.538secs
17. Troy Bayliss AUS Ducati Marlboro 1mins 44.593secs
18. Ruben Xaus SPA d'Antin Ducati 1min 44.664secs
19. Norick Abe JPN Fortuna Gauloises Tech 3 1mins 45.563secs
20. Vittoriano Guareschi ITA Ducati Marlboro 1mins 48.767secs
21. Nobuatsu Aoki JPN Proton Team KR 1min 49.412secs

Comparative lap times:

Spanish Grand Prix (11/05/2003):
Pole position: Loris Capirossi ITA Ducati Marlboro 1min 41.983secs
Fastest lap: Valentino Rossi ITA Repsol Honda 1min 42.788secs

Fastest Yamaha lap: Carlos Checa SPA Fortuna Yamaha 1min 43.631secs
Fastest Ducati lap: Loris Capirossi ITA Ducati Marlboro 1min 43.575secs
Fastest Aprilia lap: Noriyuki Haga JPN Alice Aprilia 1min 44.006secs
Fastest Suzuki lap: John Hopkins USA Suzuki Grand Prix 1min 44.195secs
Fastest Proton KR lap: Nobuatsu Aoki JPN Proton Team KR 1min 44.201secs
Fastest Kawasaki lap: Andrew Pitt AUS Fuchs Kawasaki 1min 44.909secs