Suzuki set to keep Capirossi & Vermeulen

Added on Thursday, August 21st, 2008 by Carole Nash Editor | No Comments

Vermeulen has been linked with a WSB ride next year.

We are very close to taking the right steps with both the guys.

Rizla Suzuki look set to confirm Loris Capirossi and Chris Vermeulen as their riders for 2009, ending speculation over the pair’s future.

Question marks had remained over both riders for 2009, with Suzuki thought to be in need of two new riders for next season but the Suzuki factory outfit now appears to be sticking with their current riders.

Vermeulen, who struggled for form before podiums in Germany and Laguna Seca, had been tipped to replace fellow Australia Troy Bayliss, who retires at the end of the season, at the Zerox Ducati WSB team.

Veteran rider Capirossi however was thought to be nearing the end of his Suzuki career amid reports that the team were keen on signing AMA rider Ben Spies after the American made a number of wildcard appearances.

But team manager Paul Denning has claimed that both riders are very much in the team’s plans for 2009 and he hopes to announce next season’s line-up at Misano next week.

“We have always said that we are really happy with our riders and that we need to improve the level of our bike, then their level will automatically improve,” Denning told MotoGP.com. “We are very close to taking the right steps with both the guys, so we hope to be able to confirm that at Misano or just after.”

Share and Enjoy: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.