Suzuki duo sign for ‘09
Added on Friday, September 5th, 2008 by Carole Nash Editor | No Comments
Vermeulen and Capirossi celebrate their new deals
Loris Capirossi and Chris Vermeulen have both signed new contracts with MotoGP outfit Rizla Suzuki, it was confirmed today.
The pair have both signed one-year extensions to their current contracts, keeping them with the Suzuki factory team for the 2009 season and capping an impressive few weeks for Suzuki, having secured a series of strong results including podium finishes in Germany, California and Brno.
The news will end speculation surrounding Chris Vermeulen and a possible return to World Superbikes whilst veteran rider Loris Capirossi has clearly done enough in his first season with Suzuki to merit an extended deal.
The move will however cast doubt on the future of AMA rider Ben Spies, who had been linked with a Suzuki ride next season, although plans for a third bike could still leave the door open.
Speaking about the deal, Loris Capirossi said: “‘I am delighted to be staying with Suzuki for another season. I have really enjoyed my short time here and know we are making progress and can be on top again.
“The management has shown faith in me - even though I have not been at my best due to my injuries - and now I must start to re-pay them for their belief in me and to committing to me a further season.
“I have enjoyed working with Paul and my whole crew has been fantastic all season, whatever I have asked for they have delivered and they are probably the hardest working guys in the paddock.”
The Italian also signalled his intention to see out his career with Suzuki and claimed to have new goals before he retires.
“I still have unfinished business in MotoGP and on the Suzuki,” he added. “I still have podiums, pole positions and race wins in me and I believe that I can achieve that with this team. I want to finish my career with Suzuki and I want to do that in style!”
Chris Vermeulen, who had been linked with a move to the Ducati Xerox WSB team, said: “I’m extremely happy to be staying with the Suzuki team, it is a factory and squad that I know well and respect enormously.
“Over the last three years there has been big progress with both the machine and with my level as a rider. Suzuki was my entry into Grand Prix racing, I have been here for three years and won a GP - and been on podium many times - so I am really pleased to be continuing this relationship.
“I had offers from other teams, but I always felt that I wanted to stay with Suzuki if we could get the terms agreed so that everyone was happy.
“Luckily we were able to do that, so now I can get on with trying to win more races and help Suzuki get to a World Championship challenging level.”
Team manager Paul Denning added: “We are of course pleased to have finalised the rider agreements for 2009 and to move forward with Loris and Chris.
“Loris’s experience, knowledge and determination are a valuable asset to any team, but on top of that you get his incredible and infectious passion for racing - plus he’s a really nice guy as well! He settled in to the team very quickly and now it feels like he has been with us for a long time, not less than a year!
“Chris has improved as the Suzuki GSV-R has improved, and has now become an integral part of the development process of the bike. He has been with the team for three years and has become Suzuki’s most successful four-stroke racer yet, as well as being an ultra-professional sportsman. I don’t think we have seen Chris’s true potential yet - the whole factory and the team are convinced the he can go on to bigger and better things with Suzuki, and we are delighted to have him with us again.”
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