Rizla Extends Suzuki MotoGP Sponsorship Until 2011

Suzuki's future in the MotoGP Series looks as bright as ever, since the Japanese manufacturer managed to secure an extension to their current sponsorship deal with Imperial Tobacco Limited. Consequently, Rizla will continue to be title sponsor of the team for at least the upcoming 2 years, following a successful partnership that commenced in 2006.

“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 in a press release.

“We are delighted to continue our sponsorship of the Suzuki MotoGP team over the 2010 and 2011 seasons, and I look forward to an exciting couple of years both on the track and in our own business. The MotoGP platform fits perfectly with Rizla's global, premium status and the close partnership we have forged with the Suzuki team enables us to leverage the brand extremely effectively,” added Graham Blashill, Sales and Marketing Director forImperial Tobacco Group Plc.

The Rizla blue-colored Suzuki GSV-R will hit the track in Malaysia during the course of this week, with former 125cc champion and 250cc graduate Alvaro Bautista making his very first appearance on the 2010 machine this year. Following the announcement, Denning admitted that he looks to improve his team's performances in the MotoGP, after a rather disappointing 2009 campaign.

“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,” added the Suzuki manager.