Loris Capirossi close to new Suzuki deal

Loris Capirossi is close to a new deal with Suzuki’s factory MotoGP squad, MCN has learned.

Negotiations are on-going over a one-year deal for the veteran Italian, who will become the first rider in world championship history to make 300 appearances if he does ride on in 2010.

Triple world champion Capirossi’s manager Carlo Pernat though is confident the 36-year-old will sign an extended deal.

Pernat told MCN: “We have spoken a lot with Suzuki. It seems that Suzuki want Loris to stay and he wants to stay with Suzuki. There is no way that Loris is going to stop and I feel like a deal is quite close.” Capirossi has finished fifth in the last two MotoGP races and tested a raft of new parts on his factory GSV-R in Catalunya earlier this week, including an early 2010 prototype chassis, Ohlins front forks and bodywork.