Rizla Suzuki 'safe' for 2011

Sylvain Guintoli linked to MotoGP comeback with struggling Suzuki squad

RIZLA SUZUKI MotoGP team boss Paul Denning has announced the squad will compete in the 2011 Championship, despite rumours the team was to be disbanded at the end of the season.

Concerns that Suzuki might follow Kawasaki down the escape road to quit MotoGP with Denning confirming the squad would be continuing, in spite of disappointing results.

“We’re here for 2011, no question,” he said.

The team has Alvaro Bautista under contract, with several candidates for the second ride, including former MotoGP-turned-Moto2 man Toni Elias and WSB frontrunner Cal Crutchlow.

A third potential name has sprung into Rizla's 2011 plans: Sylvain Guintoli tested the team's GSV-R800 during official testing this week at Brno.

Guintoli, no stranger to MotoGP, raced for Tech 3 Yamaha in 2007 and the Pramac Ducati squad the following year.

And what about 2012? “That is a question," said Denning. "I don’t know the answer yet.”