Vermeulen fighting for GP career
Added on Tuesday, September 1st, 2009 by Carole Nash Editor
Vermeulen fighting for GP career
Chris Vermeulen has vowed to fight for his place in the 2010 MotoGP championship after receiving the bombshell that he would not be receiving a contract offer from Suzuki.
The Australian, who secured Suzuki’s only ever victory in the four-stroke era with a victory at Le Mans in 2007, was told last month that he would not be offered a new contract to ride with Rizla Suzuki, being replaced with rookie rider Alvaro Bautista next year.
That has left Vermeulen seeking a ride for next year, with speculation linking him with a number of rides back in World Superbikes, the championship that he left in 2006, but the 27-year-old appears to be increasingly determined to remain in MotoGP.
Such is the apparent desperation for a MotoGP ride, reports have suggested that Vermeulen has offered his services free of charge to the Tech 3 Yamaha team for 2010, with both of their rides both undecided as of yet, and the number seven has once again reiterated his desire to remain in premier class racing.
“I am disappointed that Suzuki has decided not to renew my contract for next season, but I am absolutely committed to continuing my career in the top flight of motorcycle racing,” Vermeulen said.
“MotoGP has been my life for the past four years and I still have unfinished business here.
“I am a fighter and I know that with the right technical package I am capable of battling with and beating the best in this sport.
“The Le Mans win has been the highlight of my career so far and it will always remain a special feeling to have taken what is Suzuki’s only four-stroke victory to date.
“But this year has not been an easy season for me, although I have scored points in every race and chasing the top six in the championship.
“My motivation is firmly intact and the fact that I am looking for a new team for the 2010 season only reinforces that.”
