MotoGP: Suzuki in no rush to finalise 2009 line-up

Suzuki boss Paul Denning reckons there is no need for the Japanese factory to rush finalising its 2009 rider line-up.

Chris Vermeulen and Loris Capirossi both have options for next season’s MotoGP world championship in their current contracts, and both have expressed a desire to stay.

Suzuki has also been linked with a potential swoop for reigning American superbike champion Ben Spies, who will ride a factory Suzuki GSV-R in the Laguna Seca and Indianapolis later this season.

But Denning said that Suzuki would not start serious negotiations with any rider until late July before the summer break.

“We are very open minded about our riders but it’s too early to make any judgements on 2009. Both Loris and Chris have options for next year as do Suzuki and both are performance based.

“Our thought is that with both riders, whether Suzuki wants to retain both or make a change, that decision would not be evaluated in great detail until late July or early August.

“By then you know enough about what has happened to make a balanced decision.”