Whilst Capirossi's signature had been long predicted, Vermeulen had been pursued by the likes of Honda Gresini and the Ducati Xerox World Superbike team.

After two stand-in rides for Camel Honda during 2005, when he also finished second in the World Superbike Championship, Vermeulen made his full time MotoGP debut with Suzuki the following season.

The 26-year-old Australian achieved his first pole-position in Turkey that year and followed up with a debut podium at his home grand prix in Australia later that same season.

Vermeulen then created history for Suzuki by becoming the first winner for the famous Japanese marque in the four-stroke era, when he raced to a wet-weather victory at Le Mans in France in 2007 – a season that also saw him take three further podiums, one pole-position and two front-row starts.

So far in 2008 Vermeulen has had back-to-back podiums in Germany and America and currently sits sixth in the riders' championship.

"I'm extremely happy to be staying with the Suzuki team, it is a factory and squad that I know well and respect enormously," said Chris. "Over the last three years there has been big progress with both the machine and with my level as a rider. Suzuki was my entry into grand prix racing, I have been here for three years and won a GP - and been on podium many times – so I am really pleased to be continuing this relationship.

"I had offers from other teams, but I always felt that I wanted to stay with Suzuki if we could get the terms agreed so that everyone was happy," he explained. "Luckily we were able to do that, so now I can get on with trying to win more races and help Suzuki get to a world championship challenging level."

"Chris has improved as the Suzuki GSV-R has improved, and has now become an integral part of the development process of the bike," stated Denning. "He has been with the team for three years and has become Suzuki's most successful four-stroke racer yet, as well as being an ultra-professional sportsman. I don't think we have seen Chris's true potential yet - the whole factory and the team are convinced the he can go on to bigger and better things with Suzuki, and we are delighted to have him with us again."

The re-signing of Capirossi and Vermeulen confirms that there is no room for AMA Superbike champion Ben Spies, who is predicted to sign for JiR Honda. An announcement on the Texan's future is expected at next weekend's Indianapolis Grand Prix, when he will make his third appearance of the season for Rizla Suzuki.