Zoom Sylvain Guintoli

MotoGP star Sylvain Guintoli will be going for Championship glory with Suzuki's official team, run by Crescent, in British Superbikes in 2009 – and the team is confident its new signing will be able to challenge at the front right from the start.

Frenchman Guintoli, from Romans in France, now living with his wife Caroline and daughters Alicia (3-years) and Layla (6-months) near Market Bosworth in England, has been one of the most promising new stars in MotoGP racing over the last two seasons, scoring a best result of fourth at the 2007 Motegi GP.

Now the 26-year-old is turning his considerable talent to winning the BSB Championship.

Suzuki BSB Team Manager Jack Valentine is delighted to have secured the services of one of the world's top riders. He said: “Sylvain brings MotoGP class to Suzuki and British Superbikes and I think he will be a race and Championship contender. He has real pedigree as his efforts in MotoGP have proved over the last two years, the sort of determination to succeed that matches the team's ambitions and one of the best Superbikes in the world at his disposal in the Crescent developed Suzuki GSX-R1000.”

“This signing means Suzuki will be fighting for top honours in BSB 2009. We will be putting a full test and development programme in place for Sylvan and no stone will be left unturned in our efforts to win.”

“Sylvain will make his debut appearance for the team at the Suzuki stand at the NEC Show in late November and he is already excited to meet the public and fans. He is a breath of fresh air to the team and one that we have utmost confidence in for success in 2009.”

Suzuki GB Marketing Manager George Cheeseman said: “It is fantastic news that Sylvan has chosen to ride for Suzuki's official British Superbike team – it is credit to the team and the BSB series that it can attract such an international talent.”

“Suzuki is absolutely committed to success on the race track and this signing proves how serious we are at getting back the BSB title we won in 2004. Sylvan will have the all new GSX-R1000 at his disposal and together I think they will make a fantastic partnership and one that will lead from the front.”

© CAPSIS International