Suzuki have issued a press release confirming that Sylvain Guintoli will be competing as a Rizla Suzuki in the British Superbikes fro 2009. Guintoli failed to secure another season with Alice Ducati in MotoGP, and failed to secure a ride with any of the competing teams. Despite being talented and popular rider, Guintoli failed to put together any consistent form on the satellite Alice Ducati team during the 2008 season, and was overshadowed in the last few races by Toni Elias who managed to push his bike on the podium on more than one occasion.

That said, he’s still managed to bag more points than Marco Melandri on the factory Ducati.

Suzuki BSB Team Manager Jack Valentine said: “Sylvain brings MotoGP class to Suzuki and British Superbikes and I think he will be a race and Championship contender. He has real pedigree as his efforts in MotoGP have proved over the last two years, the sort of determination to succeed that matches the team’s ambitions and one of the best Superbikes in the world at his disposal in the Crescent developed Suzuki GSX-R1000.

“This signing means Suzuki will be fighting for top honours in BSB 2009. We will be putting a full test and development programme in place for Sylvan and no stone will be left unturned in our efforts to win.

“Sylvain will make his debut appearance for the team at the Suzuki stand at the NEC Show in late November and he is already excited to meet the public and fans. He is a breath of fresh air to the team and one that we have utmost confidence in for success in 2009.”

Suzuki GB Marketing Manager George Cheeseman said: “It is fantastic news that Sylvan has chosen to ride for Suzuki’s official British Superbike team – it is credit to the team and the BSB series that it can attract such an international talent.

“Suzuki is absolutely committed to success on the race track and this signing proves how serious we are at getting back the BSB title we won in 2004. Sylvan will have the all new GSX-R1000 at his disposal and together I think they will make a fantastic partnership and one that will lead from the front.”

Popularity: 1% [?]

Subscribe to the post comments feeds or Leave a trackback