Australian MotoGP rider Chris Vermeulen will stay with the Suzuki team for the 2009 season.
Vermeulen has enjoyed a fine career with Suzuki since making his racing debut at Jerez in 2006.
The 26-year-old has hit his straps in 2008 with back-to-back podiums in Germany and America to have him currently in sixth places in the riders' championship.
Vermeulen was delighted to stay with the team he began his career with.
"I'm extremely happy to be staying with the Suzuki team, it is a factory and squad that I know well and respect enormously," he said.
"Over the last three years there has been big progress with both the machine and with my level as a rider."
"Suzuki was my entry into Grand Prix racing, I have been here for three years and won a GP - and been on podium many times – so I am really pleased to be continuing this relationship."
Vermeulen also revealed that he had knocked back offers from rival teams in order to stay with Suzuki.
"I had offers from other teams, but I always felt that I wanted to stay with Suzuki if we could get the terms agreed so that everyone was happy."
"Luckily we were able to do that, so now I can get on with trying to win more races and help Suzuki get to a World Championship challenging level."
In a productive day for Suzuki, they also secured the services of Loris Capirossi for the 2009 season.
Team manager Paul Denning was pleased to have finalised the rider agreements for 2009 and predicts big things to come from Vermeulen.
"He has been with the team for three years and has become Suzuki’s most successful four-stroke racer yet, as well as being an ultra-professional sportsman."
"I don't think we have seen Chris' true potential yet - the whole factory and the team are convinced the he can go on to bigger and better things with Suzuki, and we are delighted to have him with us again."
The next race of competition is the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix on September 14.