Suzuki wraps up new Rizla deal.

The news comes just a day after Ducati's Loris Capirossi confirmed that he will ride alongside Chris Vermeulen at Suzuki next season, in place of the departing John Hopkins.

"Suzuki is delighted to be entering into another year's partnership with Rizla, we have had a good relationship over the past two seasons and Suzuki has benefited from Rizla's strong marketing activity during that time," said Suzuki Racing Department group leader Fumihiro Oonishi. "The Rizla 'blue' has become a unique colour in MotoGP and is now also instantly recognisable as a part of the Suzuki image as well. Suzuki is very excited to be renewing its sponsorship agreement and we look forward to further success together."

Vermeulen gave Rizla and Suzuki its first four-stroke MotoGP victory at Le Mans earlier this year, and the team has taken a further three podiums so far this season. Suzuki has had a GP racing relationship with Rizla since the 1980s and Kevin Schwantz made his GP debut on a Rizla-backed RG500 in 1986.