The news we already knew was released today: Loris Capirossi will be continuing on with Rizla Suzuki for the 2010 MotoGP season. With Bautista already signed-up for the powder blue squad, this means Christopher Vermeulen is officially out of the game, and looking for a job.
Capirossi will be with Rizla for one more season, renewing his contract with Suzuki for only one more year. 2010 will likely be Capirossi’s last season in MotoGP, as the 36 year-old Italian is the oldest rider in the paddock. Capirossi’s last duties at the team will be to help develop the GSV-R further, and bring teammate Alvaro Bautista up to speed on it. Suzuki then went on to say that this effectively means Christopher Vermeulen will be leaving the Rizla Suzuki team.
The press release then concluded by thanking Vermeulen for his hard work while at the Rizla Suzuki team. However, Vermeulen’s lackluster performance this year has over-shadowed the fact that he’s been the only rider to take the GSV-R to a podium in the last 8 years, leaving him as the logical choice to be replaced by Bautista.
Vermeulen has stated that he wishes to stay in MotoGP, and is one of the riders vying for a spot at Tech3 Yamaha. Considering that everyone and their mom is looking for a ride with Tech3, Chris better bring some very persuasive arguments to the negotiation table.
Photo: Turn 2 Photography
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