Rizla will continue sponsoring Suzuki for a further season in MotoGP, following on from the successful two-year partnership the pair has already enjoyed in the premier class of motorcycle racing.

This is the second big step as Vermeulen won for 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.

Rizla and Suzuki go way back as they have had a GP racing relationship since the 1980s and Kevin Schwants made his GP debut on a Rizla-backed RG500 in 1986.

Fumihiro Oonishi, Suzuki Racing Department Group Leader said:
“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. The Rizla ‘blue’ has become a unique color 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”

Graham Blashill, Imperial Tobacco Group Sales & Marketing Director said:
“When we entered MotoGP with Suzuki in 2006 we were confident of and looking forward to a successful and exciting partnership in the battle for points, podiums, and awareness at the very pinnacle of motorcycle sport. Since then we have been very impressed by the drive to success shown by Suzuki. This continuous improvement resulted not only in very positive race results but also enhanced Rizla’s global brand awareness. This is something which we are justifiably proud to be part of and look forward to supporting Suzuki for the 2008 MotoGP season in the fight for the World Championship.”