From a press release issued by Team Suzuki News Service:

SUZUKI SET TO RE-SIGN ROBERTS

Suzuki has agreed terms with Kenny Roberts Jr. that will keep the former world champion racing with the factory team for at least the next two years.

Roberts joined Suzuki for the 1999 season and the partnership proved to be an immediate success, with the Californian winning his first two races on the factory RGV-G machine and taking second place in the title hunt. The following year the Suzuki and Roberts combination improved yet again and swept to the 500cc world championship in dominant style.

Both Suzuki and Roberts have been keen to continue their successful relationship and the new two-year agreement clears the way for the continuation of the development program of the ever-improving new GSV-R MotoGP four-stroke machine.

Garry Taylor. Team Manager:
“We are already moving on with the next phase in the development program of the new GSV-R, so it was important to agree terms with Kenny in order that we can concentrate on the way forward. On top of being one of the very best riders in the world, Kenny is also an exceptional development rider with a rare grasp of all the technical aspects involved in making a bike work on the racetrack.

“A year ago the GSV-R didn’t even exist and now we are already in a position where we can lead races and win podium positions. We’ve come a long way in a very short space of time, but we are totally committed to making the GSV-R a race winner. With Kenny now agreeing terms a major part of the program is now in place and we can get on with the job.”