There will be no factory Suzukis for two years

Suzuki has today officially confirmed it will pull out of MotoGP at the end of this year to focus on building a competitive bike and return to the blue riband class in 2014.

This means the end of Paul Denning's Rizla Suzuki squad for the foreseeable future and John Hopkins' hopes of a return to the premier class. The factory has issued a statement which reads:

Suzuki Motor Corporation has decided to suspend temporarily its participation in FIM Road Racing Grand Prix MotoGP from 2012.

This suspension is to cope with tough circumstances mainly caused by the prolonged recession in developed countries, a historical appreciation of Japanese Yen and repeated natural disasters.

Having an eye to returning to MotoGP in 2014, Suzuki will now focus on developing a competitive new racing machine for that class.

Suzuki will continue motocross racing activity and support of road racing activities using mass-produced motorcycles, by obtaining FIM homologation and co-operation with the supplier of its development racing kit parts.