Suzuki says thanks to Telefonica Movistar.

Team Suzuki will say goodbye and thank-you to its principal sponsor of three years - Telef?nica MoviStar - after this weekend's Valencia GP, bringing to an end a successful association between the Japanese racing factory and the Spanish telecommunications giant.

The partnership that has yielded five grand prix wins, and victory in the 500cc world championship in 2000, but has not been as successful since Kenny Roberts Jr won the title.

"We joined forces with Telef?nica MoviStar in 2000, after starting negotiations the previous year, when the team had regained its usual championship-winning potential," commented team manager Garry Taylor, "Kenny Roberts Jr won four GPs in 1999 and finished second in the world championship.

"The next year was even better. Kenny won four more races but, more importantly, scored highly in almost every event to win the championship. It was a great year for the Suzuki team, and for Telef?nica MoviStar as well.

"Last year we added another win with Sete [Gibernau] at Valencia - a home triumph for the rider and the sponsors."

"We understand that this sponsorship has now run its course and, on behalf of Suzuki Motor Corporation, I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their support. Telef?nica MoviStar has been a fantastic sponsor to the team and the factory race department - very professional, always supportive in good times and bad and, above all, highly enthusiastic at every level.

"For our part, I'd like to think we've made a very positive contribution to their increased brand awareness. We've certainly learned a lot from them. It's been a pleasure working with them over the past three years, and we all wish them well in their new venture."

Suzuki's plans include staying in the increasingly competitive MotoGP class next year, with Roberts already signed up to lead the assault on Honda and the world championship.

"Next year, Team Suzuki will continue to contest the MotoGP World Championship with an all-new Mk2 version of the 990cc four-stroke machine V4 GSV-R," Taylor confirmed, "We have signed Kenny Roberts Jr for at least two more years, and the factory has redoubled its commitment to turning our new four-stroke racer from the first-year prototype to a serious championship contender. We are very focused on winning the championship again.

"We hope to make an announcement shortly about our second rider, and new sponsorship plans."