Daily Update MotoGP

Suzuki have dropped a hint that Loris Capirossi is likely to be retained for another season next year, even though no final decision has been taken yet about the Italian's future.
Capirossi only has a firm contract for this season but, with an option for 2009, there appears every likelihood that the Italian will get a fresh deal.
Speaking to the official MotoGP website, Suzuki team manager Paul Denning said a decision would be taken in a few races' time, although suggested that there was every reason for them to continue together.
"The situation for 2009 isn't yet completely clear with regard to riders and we feel that it is a little bit early after only three races in the 2008 season to be completely focussed on next year," said Denning.
"Loris has got a contract for 2009 which is based on performance criteria and if those criteria are met he has an automatic renewal with Suzuki in any case.
"If they are not met he would be a free agent to look elsewhere and so would Suzuki. However, it has been such an excellent start to the relationship that at this stage we are very happy with Loris and I believe Loris is very happy with the team."
Capirossi's manager Carlo Pernat told motogp.com that he was keen for a contract extension.
"His aim is to continue on the Suzuki bike next year and his feeling with the team and with the bike is very good, even though the bike is new," said Pernat. "I think the aim is to continue to work together and maybe after Mugello or Assen we can say something more."
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With the new Yamaha/Bridgestone partnership still in its infancy, Valentino Rossi’s main focus during Monday’s Estoril test was unsurprisingly on continued tyre development.

Rossi, who has taken two podiums from his first three Bridgestone starts and holds third in the current world championship standings, will be looking to break a seven-race losing streak - since Estoril 2007 - next time out in Shanghai, a circuit where Rossi finished second to Casey Stoner’s Bridgestone-shod Ducati last year.

The Fiat Yamaha star left Estoril with the second fastest overall lap time, set with a qualifying tyre, after circulating 0.252secs behind Repsol Honda’s Dani Pedrosa.

Rossi also tested new front and rear race tyres, whilst improving set-up and ‘feeling’ during his 90 laps. Using race tyres, the Italian was able to beat his best lap - set on his way to third place - in Sunday’s grand prix.

“Today was all about tyres, set-up and our ongoing task of improving the Yamaha-Bridgestone package,” confirmed team manager Davide Brivio. “We tried new front and rear race tyres and also some new qualifying tyres, and we found some good solutions to take with us to China. We were able to improve rear grip and durability especially and these are two key areas for us.

“Valentino worked very hard today and completed 90 laps, and he deserves to be happy with a job well done. Of course we are always working on the general setting and we hope that we’re going to be arriving in China now with an even better bike than we had this weekend. Thank you to everyone for another long weekend of hard work and now there’s some time to relax before we make the trip to China.”

Rossi’s team-mate and Estoril race winner Jorge Lorenzo - currently tied with Pedrosa at the top of the world championship standings - did not test on Monday, the 20-year-old opting to undergo surgery on his right forearm to help arm-pump problems.

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