12:00a.m. 20th July 2008

Yandina MotoGP star Chris Vermeulen showed strong signs back-to-back podium finishes aren’t beyond him after posting the fifth fastest time during practice for the US Grand Prix at Laguna Seca.

Racing on a circuit where he finished second behind compatriot Casey Stoner last year, the Suzuki rider secured his first top three finish of the year at last week’s German MotoGP, and is confident of repeating the dose.

“It’s a track I really enjoy with its character being so different to the European circuits,” Vermeulen said.