Suzuki’s all-new GSX-R750K8 will receive its first race outing this weekend at Valencia in Spain as the 2008 GSX-R European Cup gets underway.

Team Suzuki GB has arrived in Valencia with an all-new line up featuring Tom Bridewell and Grant Molloy as the team’s two permanent riders. They are joined by Peter Hickman who will ride as a wildcard entry in Spain.

Bridewell, 19, contested four rounds of the 2006 GSX-R European Cup championship, with a best result of second at Silverstone. Molloy, meanwhile, is a relative newcomer – the 20-year-old having only started his racing career in 2006.

Hickman, although not 21 until next Tuesday, is a seasoned campaigner, having competed in the British Superbike championship last season. He was planning to race European Superstock in 2008 but the collapse of his team recently has left him without a ride.

"I haven’t ridden at Valencia since 2000," said Bridewell on arriving at the Spanish circuit, "and that was on a 125. The new GSX-R750 looks absolutely perfect and I can’t wait to get back on the track tomorrow."

Qualifying begins at 17.10 on Friday, with a further session at 18.20 on Saturday evening. The 11-lap, 44km race is scheduled to start between Sunday’s World Supersport and second World Superbike races.