Paul Denning and his Suzuki team said goodbye to the MotoGP at the end of 2011 and in eight weeks, they'll be saying hello to the WSBK.
The team may be in its rookie season but they have plenty of experience around the paddock. In addition to team principal Paul Denning, the Suzuki World Superbike Team will have last year's British Superbike runner-up John Hopkins, former British Superbike champion Leon Camier, and long-time Suzuki BSB team manager Jack Valentine.
Denning is hopeful about his team's chances but acknowledges that 2012 will be a big challenge for Camier and Hopkins.
"There are so many strong riders and teams and it's up to us to maximize our potential and do our best, not to second-guess who else will be quick because they all are! As Crescent Suzuki, we are the new guys in SBK and we are entering with a "quiet" attitude; we have to respect all the top teams and riders and focus on our own performance."
Denning also said that he wasn't concerned about John Hopkins physical condition. A series of crashes toward the end of the season left the American rider a little battered, but Denning is confident that Hopkins will be in competitive shape once the Phillip Island rolls around.
"I guess the finger will never be perfect but it's good enough to race a motorcycle! John went through a lot last year – it was a minor injury that turned into a real nightmare. He's just started properly training now – after a horrible month of extremely strong antibiotics – but his base fitness levels are good enough that he'll bounce back quickly. I have no concerns – I do expect his fitness level to improve race by race – but it will be tough to be at a genuine 100% for Philip Island."
