VERMEULEN RE-SIGNS FOR SUZUKI
 Suzuki
and Chris Vermeulen are pleased to announce that they have
agreed terms to continue with their partnership into the 2008
MotoGP season and beyond.
Vermeulen joined Suzuki at the end of 2005 and has been heavily
involved in the development of the Suzuki GSV-R during the
past two seasons. The 25-year-old scored a podium for the
team in his rookie season and has followed that up this year
with Suzuki's first-ever four-stroke MotoGP victory.
The ever-improving Australian has decided that he wants to
stay with Suzuki despite attempts from other manufactures
to tempt him away. Team Manager Paul Denning has been in negotiations
with Vermeulen for some time and the number 71 racer put pen
to paper shortly after today's American Grand Prix, which
saw Vermeulen take a stunning second position.
Chris Vermeulen:
"I am very excited to be staying with Suzuki. I really
enjoy working with the whole team, especially my Chief Mechanic
Tom O'Kane. The involvement of the Factory staff has also
been a big factor in my decision, in particular Sahara-san
and our Racing Group Leader Oonishi-san. The way the development
has gone since I first rode the GSV-R in 2005 is incredible!
I am sure if we can continue in that direction we will be
pushing up to the front every weekend. That has got to be
the goal; I want to be World Champion and if I can do it with
Suzuki I will be so happy!"
Fumihiro Oonishi - Suzuki Racing Department Group
Leader:
"Suzuki is very please to have signed Chris to race
in MotoGP for the future. We had strong competition from other
teams but Chris had a desire to stay with Suzuki and we have
done all we can to make sure he did so.
"Chris is a very professional rider and his help in
improving the GSV-R has been invaluable to the team and we
know he will continue to do that in the future."
Paul Denning - Team Manager:
"Suzuki introduced Chris to MotoGP as a full-time factory
rider and is pleased to retain his partnership. He is a no-nonsense,
straight forward character and fits in with Suzuki's and the
team's attitude at all levels. I don't think we have yet seen
Chris' true potential, he's a winner and next year we are
expecting great success together."
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