Dorna can breathe a sigh of relief, because will be seeing the Suzuki bikes on the MotoGP grid for at least two other seasons.
Suzuki has extended it’s partnership deal with Rizla (owned by Imperial Tobacco Ltd) and we will once again be seeing the Rizla logo on the blue fairings of the Suzuki GSV-R’s for the next two years.
Rizla has been Suzuki’s title sponsor in MotoGP since 2006, but has been tied to the Hamamatsu factory in various championships since 1986.
The team will field veteran Loris Capirossi and rookie Alvaro Bautista this season and will see how the team fares in the first official 2010 two day test at Sepang, that starts on Thursday.
“Everybody involved with the Suzuki Grand Prix project is delighted that the Rizla brand will continue its partnership in 2010 and into 2011, and that we are able to continue with the now iconic Rizla Suzuki image for the next two seasons,” said team manager Paul Denning.
“It’s very clear that the 2009 season fell far below our expectations and targets, but Loris, Alvaro, the whole team and the Suzuki Racing group in Hamamatsu will be doing everything we can to take a big step forward and re-pay Rizla’s faith in the project during 2010 and beyond.
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