Photo: Yoshimura
It's once more history in the making in motorsport, as James Stewart plans his return to racing after a 16-month ban. And because he wants to make this move more easily remembered, he announces having signed a new endorsement deal with Yoshimura Suzuki... for as long as his career will last.
Lifetime contracts with a single particular brand are one of the rarest things in sport, but seeing such a daring move in motorsport is all the more interesting. If anything such alliances are made and crumble because of the multiple technological variables that contribute to the success of a machine.
Motorcycle sports are more or less a half-bike-half-rider affair, but no matter how good a rider may be, he or she can't overcome all the shortcomings a bike might be plagued by at a given time.
It's more than once when we saw athletes putting an end to their collaboration with a certain manufacturer and changing camps, despite a bond that seemed indestructible. Various makers, with various machines come and go at the top of the charts, and at times, the bike-rider combination seems so powerful that it could last almost forever, only to be passed by the next one.
"I'm happy to finish my career with Suzuki. The team has been very protective and can't wait to get back on the bike. I still have that competitive spirit, and I want to give everything in the final years of my career. Also, I have to thank the fans and sponsors that have stayed with me. I'm ready to race," says Stewart.
As Suzuki Motor of America and Yoshimura Racing openly stated their unaltered support for him during the difficult period, Stewart's response is only natural and shows the same degree of commitment.
After all, James Stewart and Ricky Carmichael are the only riders who managed to win all the races during a season, so it's rather easy to understand why Suzuki wants him back on the track. Now, with Stewart soon to be back in action with Yoshimura Suzuki, we can only expect to see him staying clean and showing whether he's still the top guy.
Motorcycle sports are more or less a half-bike-half-rider affair, but no matter how good a rider may be, he or she can't overcome all the shortcomings a bike might be plagued by at a given time.
It's more than once when we saw athletes putting an end to their collaboration with a certain manufacturer and changing camps, despite a bond that seemed indestructible. Various makers, with various machines come and go at the top of the charts, and at times, the bike-rider combination seems so powerful that it could last almost forever, only to be passed by the next one.
"I'm happy to finish my career with Suzuki. The team has been very protective and can't wait to get back on the bike. I still have that competitive spirit, and I want to give everything in the final years of my career. Also, I have to thank the fans and sponsors that have stayed with me. I'm ready to race," says Stewart.
Tested positive for a banned stimulant at a Supercross race in Seattle in April 2014, Stewart will be back in August 11
James Stewart tested positive in the spring of 2014 in Seattle, when the World Anti-Doping Agency found traces of banned substances in his body. Stewart received a ban from racing for 16 months, due to expire on August 11.As Suzuki Motor of America and Yoshimura Racing openly stated their unaltered support for him during the difficult period, Stewart's response is only natural and shows the same degree of commitment.
After all, James Stewart and Ricky Carmichael are the only riders who managed to win all the races during a season, so it's rather easy to understand why Suzuki wants him back on the track. Now, with Stewart soon to be back in action with Yoshimura Suzuki, we can only expect to see him staying clean and showing whether he's still the top guy.
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