Indy MotoGP: Loris Capirossi confirms new Suzuki deal

Veteran Italian Loris Capirossi will partner rookie Alvaro Bautista in Suzuki’s factory MotoGP squad next season.

As was revealed by MCN last week, the Japanese factory confirmed Capirossi has signed an extension to his current contract at the Indianapolis GP in America today.

Capirossi flirted with the prospect of retirement at the end of 2009 but will continue to become the first rider in history to make over 300 Grand Prix appearances.

The triple world champion is currently ninth in the points-standings and has scored four top six finishes in 2009 in what has been a largely disappointing campaign for Suzuki after a promising winter testing campaign.

Capirossi said: “I am very happy to continue working with Suzuki and everyone involved with the Racing Group and the team.

“I love working with my crew and feel really at home here. When I joined Suzuki I really wanted to win races and this is still the target.

“I love the competition and the challenge and my ambition to succeed is as strong as ever.

“We are 100 per cent focused on developing the GSV-R into a race-winning machine and the improvements that have come through recently show that Suzuki is working in the right direction.

“I am pleased to have signed again at this time of the season as it gives me a great motivation for the rest of the year and an incentive to get the bike ready for 2010.”

Capirossi’s new deal and the arrival of Spaniard Bautista means Aussie Chris Vermeulen is out of a ride and left pursuing deals with Tech 3 Yamaha and LCR Honda.