Suzuki has agreed terms with Steve Ramon for a further two years, keeping the 27 year-old former world champion who is currently second in the FIM MX1 World Championship series, on board the potent RM-Z450 for 2008 and 2009.

Ramon has closed to within 43 points of injured World MX1 Championship leader Josh Coppins after taking fifth place at his home GP at Namur in Belgium - round 12 of the series.

“I am happy in Team Suzuki. We work well and the bikes are good, so I am pleased to carry on our relationship," said Ramon, who has won two motos this year and is still in contention for the title.

“Obviously the results could be better and maybe so far are not what the team was expecting, but now we have another chance to put this right and who knows, maybe something will still happen this season. Suzuki wants the world championship and so do I.”

“Steve's consistency is his strength and we were unlucky at the start of the year that some freak racing incidents set him further back that we would have liked in the championship,” explained Suzuki team manager Sylvan Geboers. “He has responded well though and now we stand in an exciting position because the 2007 MX1 title run is not over yet.”

Suzuki meanwhile added that a further 'big-name signing' will be unveiled at the end of the season. Suzuki plan to run two riders again in the premier MX1 category in 2008. The team has won two Grand's Prix this season and both riders hold positions in the top five of the championship standings.