Aussies look to bright future

Casey Stoner may have stolen most of the headlines at this
weekend's GMC Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix at Phillip Island,
but that hasn't stopped his fellow locals Chris Vermeulen and
Anthony West setting their sights on similar success next year.

Kawasaki Racing rider West started his debut MotoGP race at the
track from 10th on the grid, six places ahead of Rizla Suzuki star
Vermeulen, who had shrugged off a poor weekend in 2006 at the
same circuit to finish second.

But while Stoner jumped from third in qualifying to the lead by the
opening corner and wasn't headed, Vermeulen and West had to
be content with eighth and 12th places respectively.

He may have been disappointed not to have been able to contend
for race honours, but Vermeulen was encouraged enough by his
performances to look forward to a return in 12 months.

"Unfortunately, Phillip Island is a bit of a bogey track for Suzuki,"
Vermeulen said. "It has the highest average speed of any track
on the calendar, and there is a fundamental issue with the way
the Suzuki is set up that makes it difficult for us around here."

"It's not great to finish in eighth, but it is a very good result from
the weekend we've had. We've really struggled here both last
year and this, but this year we have taken a big step and it's
great to see that we have a direction to head in."

"If we improve the same next year we will be pushing for the front. Full credit to all my guys … they did a great job all weekend and worked their little hearts out. They gave me a great bike to race and now I can't wait to get to Malaysia."

And West, who had been as high as ninth in the closing stages,
also vowed to turn in a better performance next year.

"My race was basically done around five laps in when my bike started spinning up real bad," West said. "I kept pushing, but it was hard work, and a few guys managed to get past me in the last few laps - I couldn't fight back."

"Sepang (next weekend) will be another challenge for me, but it's all about preparing myself for a serious assault in 2008. This weekend has been a great homecoming." "There have been a few distractions, but to ride in front of such a massive crowd has been a real thrill. Next year I want to come back and give it a real shake." sportal.com.au - pic from motograndprix.it