Capirossi's manager says Suzuki will stay

Loris Capirossi's manager Carlo Pernat has denied rumours that Suzuki could follow Kawasaki out of MotoGP, and insisted that Capirossi and teammate Chris Vermeulen will be on the grid with Suzuki in 2009.

Reports in Italy suggested that Suzuki had discussed pulling its factory team out of the championship due to the global economic downturn - a decision that fellow Japanese company Kawasaki has already taken and is set to confirm early next week.

But Pernat said he had no concerns about Suzuki's future in the sport, although he acknowledged that the team would have to cut their spending and had already reduced their testing plans.

"It's 150 percent certain that Loris will race next season with Suzuki," Pernat told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"The contracts with Loris and Vermeulen are already signed. For sure, there will be some cuts at Suzuki. Like the test team, as they have already cancelled the tests at the end of January, and external consulting."

Pernat added that he also expects MotoGP to retain a full 19-bike field as he believes Kawasaki will complete a deal with Jorge Martinez's Aspar team to run the former factory bikes.

"As for Kawasaki, in the end they will guarantee their bikes' presence, and perhaps Martinez will have them for free," said Pernat.

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