From a press release issued by Team Suzuki News Service:

SUZUKI TO RACE WITH BRIDGESTONE IN 2004

Suzuki Grand Prix Team, the factory MotoGP team, will switch to Japanese Bridgestone tyres for next year’s World Championship assault.

The 2004 season is vitally important to Suzuki and the GSV-R development program has already been accelerated with a view to regaining the competitive edge in the premier racing class. With both the Bridgestone and Suzuki factories and race engineering headquarters located in Japan, the development program will benefit from faster communications, greater testing opportunities and enhanced engineering development.

Bridgestone has made great advances in their MotoGP tire program in 2003. The company joined the premier class for the first time in 2002 and in only their second season, Bridgestone-shod machines were challenging for pole position and finishing in top-three rostrum positions. The overall development of Bridgestone tyre performance has impressed many observers over the last 12 months and they were able to keep pace while still learning the special demands of the fastest and most powerful racing motorcycles. This proves the high level of their technology, and gives Suzuki confidence in future tyre development.

Suzuki Motor Corporation would like to express its sincere gratitude and goodwill to Michelin, the factory’s racing partners for nearly three decades. Together Suzuki and Michelin have won six World Championships, achieving racing success both on the 500cc two-strokes and the new-generation 990cc four-strokes. The partnership has been valuable to both, and the good relationship between the Japanese motorcycle factory and the French tyre manufacturers remains otherwise unchanged.