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MotoGP legend Capirossi reveals his thoughts about riding the TT course

Friday 07 May 2010
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Cameron Donald on Loris Capirossi's MotoGP Suzuki

Motorcycle Grand Prix legend Loris Capirossi is looking forward to his first experience of the Isle of Man TT, when he laps the famous Mountain course on a Suzuki GSX-R1000 on June 11.

The three-times World Champion and multiple Grand Prix winner is travelling to the Island for the 2010 TT to help Suzuki celebrate 50 years of international racing, which started at the TT in 1960.

Capirossi’s Rizla Suzuki MotoGP team is also supporting the anniversary celebrations by bringing over the Italian’s 2010 Suzuki GSV-R for two-times TT winner Cameron Donald to ride for a special demonstration lap.

It is the same bike Capirossi was riding when he started his 300th Grand Prix in Qatar last month, when the 2010 MotoGP World championship got underway.

Capirossi said:

“I am really excited about visiting the Isle of Man and supporting Suzuki’s 50th year celebrations, it will be great to go there and be involved.”
“I’ve never been to the TT before so it will be amazing to see those ‘crazy’ guys on the racetrack, but I’m not sure it can really be called a racetrack with all those houses and things around - it’s not like any track I’m used to!”
“I think it is an event that everybody interested in motorcycle racing should go to at least once in their life and after the first time I’m sure I’ll go back again. I want to do one full lap – but not as fast as those guys – so I can see for myself what it’s like and what they have to contend with.”

Capirossi will join the parade lap on the morning of June 11, ahead of the Senior TT. He will be joined by Rizla Suzuki Team Manager Paul Denning, also riding a 2010 Suzuki GSX-R, a machine which this year celebrates its 25th anniversary.

After the Senior TT, Australian Donald will take the GSV-R out for a lap - the first time a modern-day four-stroke Grand Prix motorcycle has lapped the Mountain course.

Cameron Donald and Loris CapirossiRelentless by TAS Suzuki rider Donald said:

“To be given the opportunity to ride a MotoGP bike is one thing, but to be offered the Rizla Suzuki GSV-R is a dream come true for me. If I’d been given the opportunity to ride it at a circuit – any circuit – I’d have been more than happy, but to ride it around the world famous Isle of Man TT circuit where I ply my trade, is another thing altogether.”
“I spent time with the Rizla Suzuki guys at Phillip Island last year and they made me feel more than welcome. Loris Capirossi is a great guy and a Grand Prix legend, so to ride one of his bikes is an honour. I know these things don’t get pulled together overnight, so I’d especially like to thank everyone at Suzuki and team bosses at Relentless by TAS Suzuki and Rizla Suzuki – Philip Neill and Paul Denning - for making this possible.”
“It’s a special year for Suzuki as a manufacturer and a very special anniversary for the GSX–R range. So while I will be aiming to put the Relentless by TAS Suzukis on the top step of the podium this year on the Island, riding the GSV-R will be the icing on the cake.”

Donald and teammate Bruce Anstey will be flying the flag for Suzuki on the racetrack, and there are several events planned to mark the 50th anniversary. Suzuki GB has become an official partner and is supplying GSX-R1000s for the Travelling Marshals.

In addition, Suzuki will have a special exhibition at the Manx Museum, as well as backing the famous Ramsey Sprint events on June 6 and June 8, the Laxey Motorcycle Show on June 10 and, on the final day of TT fortnight, the Suzuki parade, which will feature an all-star cast of men and machines.

Rizla Suzuki team manager Denning said:

“With 2010 being the anniversary of Suzuki’s 50th year in mainstream motorcycle racing and with Matsui Ito remaining as the only Japanese winner of an Isle of Man TT race, we’re very excited about providing TT fans with the first-ever opportunity to witness a full-blown four-stroke MotoGP bike being hurled around the Mountain course.”
“I would say that of all the TT fans who will be excited about this news, that the most excited will be Cameron Donald and we’re really pleased to give him this special opportunity. Loris and myself will also be taking part, but at a far more sedate pace in the parade lap and he can’t wait to see the TT guys going at it for real on race-day.”

“Despite his long history in racing it will be the first time Loris has visited the Isle of Man TT and as he’s said before – ‘this racing is for real men’ - and he can’t wait to be a part of it!”

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