Rizla and Suzuki join forces in MotoGP Suzuki has teamed up with Rizla the world’s premier rolling papers brand and agreed a two-year partnership for the title sponsorship of its premier motorcycle race team in the prestigious MotoGP World Championship. The title of the team will be Rizla Suzuki MotoGP. The all-new 2006 Suzuki GSV-R prototype race machines and riders John Hopkins and Chris Vermeulen will roll out in ultra-distinctive ‘Rizla blue’ livery in the 17-race 2006 MotoGP series. The new-look team will be unveiled at the Official MotoGP Test at Catalunya on 2nd – 4th March, shortly before Rizla Suzuki MotoGP makes its race debut in Jerez on Sunday 26th March, where Hopkins and Vermeulen will be aiming for glory. Rizla and Suzuki have a successful on-going partnership in British Superbike racing and the partnership’s expansion onto MotoGP’s global stage is seen as a natural progression. Starting in 2002, the Crescent operated Rizla Suzuki British Superbike team has won more than 30 races, in addition to the rider and manufacturer 2004 British Superbike titles. Rizla Suzuki MotoGP will be holding an Official Team Launch Presentation at the Circuit De Catalunya on Thursday 2nd March at 19.00hrs. All members of the media are invited to join Rizla Suzuki MotoGP in its hospitality facility for this presentation, which includes the official public unveiling of the all-new 2006 specification Rizla Suzuki GSV-R XRE4. Paul Denning Team Manager: “This is an exciting and significant step forward for Suzuki in MotoGP, and for the Rizla Suzuki partnership. Rizla is a colourful and exciting brand that fits in well with Suzuki’s racing ethos and identity. The added pressure of a sponsor to support Suzuki’s racing programme will also bring a welcome impetus to improve performance both on and off the track. “Suzuki has been working with Rizla since 2002 in the British Championship and we are now very pleased to be extending the association to the worldwide stage in MotoGP. Rizla and Suzuki also have historical links, which include Kevin Schwantz making his Grand Prix debut aboard a Rizla-backed RG500. Our dynamic and ambitious 2006 racers take to the track aiming to replicate the level of excitement and success that developed from there. I know that with the dedication and commitment of Suzuki and the support of Rizla and everybody involved, we can now take the team to a much-improved level throughout 2006.” Graham Blashill Rizla Group Sales & Marketing Director: “We are entering a new phase in our Sponsorship of Motorcycle sport. For the last four years in the UK, Rizla has sponsored the Suzuki British Superbike Team creating Rizla Suzuki, which won Championship honours in 2004, at which time Paul Denning was managing the team. We have decided to compliment this initiative and roll out our successful partnership with motorcycle racing and Suzuki at the very pinnacle of its sport MotoGP. Just as Rizla is a premium rolling paper with a Global distribution, MotoGP is a championship that has a global reach and appeal, with international flare and highly sophisticated technological advances, with a friendly, approachable and competitive nature that personifies the Rizla brand. “We are looking forward to the 2006 season and working with Suzuki over the next couple of years as they strive to get back to winning ways. ” Hirotaka Ono Suzuki Board Member & Director, America/Europe Motorcycle Marketing: “Suzuki is delighted to be entering into this new partnership with ITL and its Rizla brand. This marks a new and exciting stage in the history of Suzuki as it sets out to take great steps forward to further success in MotoGP. “Rizla is the number one brand in its market worldwide. We are excited to work with such a reliable partner and all members of the Suzuki team both in the factory and at trackside are very motivated by this new partnership. “We all now look forward to the new challenge of enhancing the Rizla Suzuki brand at a world racing level and seeing the distinctive blue machines fighting for success.”