Telefonica Movistar And Team Suzuki End Three-year Relationship

Telefonica Movistar And Team Suzuki End Three-year Relationship

© 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

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From a press release issued by Suzuki:

SUZUKI SAYS THANK YOU TO TELEFÓNICA MOVISTAR

October 31st: Team Suzuki says goodbye to their sponsors of three years, Telefónica MoviStar, after this weekend’s Valencia GP. This brings to an end a successful association between the Japanese racing factory and the Spanish telecommunications giant – a partnership that has yielded five Grand Prix wins, and victory in the 500cc World Championship in 2000.

“We joined forces with Telefónica MoviStar in 2000, after starting negotiations the previous year, when the team had regained its usual championship-winning potential – Kenny Roberts Jr. won four GPs in 1999. and finished second in the World Championship,” said team manager Garry Taylor.

“The next year was even better. Kenny won four more races, but more importantly scored highly in almost every event to win the World Championship. It was a great year for the Suzuki team, and for Telefónica MoviStar as well.

“Last year we added another win with Sete at Valencia – a home triumph for the rider and the sponsors,” continued Taylor.

“We understand that this sponsorship has now run its course, and on behalf of Suzuki Motor Corporation, I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their support.

“Telefónica MoviStar has been a fantastic sponsor to the team and to the factory race department –very professional, always supportive in good times and bad, and above all highly enthusiastic at every level. It’s been a pleasure working with them over the past three years, and we all wish them well in their new venture.

“For our part, I’d like to think we’ve made a very positive contribution to their increased brand awareness. We’ve certainly learned a lot from them,” Taylor said.

“Next year Team Suzuki will continue to contest the MotoGP World Championship with an all-new Mk2 version of the 990cc four-stroke machine V4 GSV-R,” he added.

“We have signed Kenny Roberts Jr. for at least two more years, while the factory has redoubled its commitment to turning our new four-stroke racer from the first-year prototype to a serious championship contender. We are very focused on winning the championship again.

“We hope to make an announcement shortly about our second rider, and new sponsorship plans,” Taylor concluded.

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