Denning: Suzuki can succeed.

Paul Denning heads into his second season in charge of Team Suzuki MotoGP hoping that "some really interesting stuff" happening ahead of the new season will result in John Hopkins and Chris Vermeulen "on TV" in 2006...

"This has been a really great learning year, to understand what it takes and trying to get a relationship with the factory to a level whereby you really feel you can put the pressure in the right places and work with them in a proactive way," reflected the former Rizla Suzuki BSB team principal during an exclusive interview with Crash.net.

"The level (of competition in MotoGP) hasn't surprised me, and it doesn't surprise me that we weren't able to jump forward significantly from 2004 in terms of results - despite very, very good improvements from the factory on the bike - because we're at a point where Suzuki needs to take bigger steps than the competition in order to narrow the gap. It doesn't matter how good the competition's bikes are they're still moving forward as well," he continued.

"There's some really interesting stuff happening going in to next year, in terms of the team, sponsorship and of course the new rider line-up - but most importantly on the technical side," revealed the Briton.

But what will it take for Suzuki to get on terms with Yamaha and Honda?

"In grand prix none of the riders are slow and if the bike's good enough for eighth place, at it's best, that where it's going to finish if the rider does his job, because in MotoGP none of the top 10-12 guys are going give you an inch," replied Paul.

"If there's seven Hondas, two factory Ducatis and four Yamahas you can do the sums about how well you need to do to be in the top ten regularly. So (success) is purely a technical issue - in terms of motorcycle package and tyre performance. At this stage I'd suggest that (our) gap to make up to the front is probably 50-50, in terms of bike and tyre.

"Suzuki is focussing most of its attention on the engine side because, however good the chassis and tyre is, unless you've got performance off the corner - and rideability and torque - in grand prix it's pretty impossible to compete over a race distance.

"It's tough (to succeed), but it shouldn't be any tougher for Suzuki than it is for Yamaha or Honda. Suzuki has won the championship before - they are very, very competitive in all forms of Superbike racing - what needs to change, and is gradually starting to change, is philosophy and resources to get the job done."

That led on to the subject of Suzuki's targets for 2006 and, while unwilling to list numerical objectives, Denning is hoping for more 'visual' signs of progress.

"The target has to be to be increasingly competitive. I think it's unrealistic to talk about positions, to talk in terms of results, because it's the pinnacle of motorcycle sport and it's just so ultra competitive," he explained.

"We have to be aiming towards being competitive and being more consistent and have a motorcycle that allows the riders to show their obvious determination. They are both highly motivated, very aggressive, young riders - but with decent experience - and I think we have a great package.

"Whatever colour the bike is next year - which I can't say right now - we want to see it on the TV, because if you can see it on TV it means you're competitive and that's got to be the target," he concluded.

Denning's comments regarding bike colour, and his earlier reference to sponsorship, reinforces rumours that the team will have a title sponsor for the first time since Telefonica Movistar left at the end of 2002.

Rizla, Camel and Red Bull - which backed the team at this year's US GP - have all been linked to the position.