Key meetings to decide Suzuki 2011 strategy

Several key meetings will take place in Japan ahead of this weekend’s Twin Ring Motegi race to determine the future racing strategy of Suzuki.

The Japanese factory has refused to confirm it will continue with its two-rider factory line-up in MotoGP next season.

Speculation has been rife recently that the Japanese factory could reduce its involvement in 2011 to just one GSV-R machine.

Suzuki has endured a dismal 2010 so far and there has also been incessant speculation that poor results will see the Japanese factory quit.

Factory boss Shinichi Sahara told MCN: “Suzuki is still discussing inside the company about the racing activity for the future, including next year.

“At this moment nothing is fixed. Anything is possible but I am planning development and making the structure for next year based on running two bikes.”

Suzuki is contracted to Dorna to supply two bikes in 2011 and failure to comply with that agreement would result in hefty penalties. Dorna boss Carmelo Ezpeleta was flying to Japan early to meet senior Suzuki management in Hamamatsu.

Team boss Paul Denning said: “The Suzuki strategy for next year won’t be in the hands of the team or race department.

“They will be in the hands of the Suzuki Company. We know very much what we’d like to do and we hope that lines up with what Suzuki wants to do, but that is not clear just yet.”

MCN also understands that title sponsor Rizla will quit Suzuki at the end of the season.

Rizla has a contract with Suzuki for 2011, but both parties have break clauses to end the agreement early.