Rizla Suzuki's Atsushi Watanabe has switched to the Relentless Suzuki team for the 2009 British Superbike season, meaning that some factory technical support and help must switch with him. It is known that MotoGP refugee Sylvain Guintoli has done a deal with the Crescent squad but there hasn't been any official confirmation yet.
It's not clear yet whether this means Relentless have usurped Crescent as the factory Suzuki team for 2009 as there has been no communication from the team this evening.
Watanabe, who hasn't had the most sparkling of debut seasons in BSB, will probably partner Michael Laverty in the squad. This also leaves a spare seat in the Rizla garage.
“We are very pleased to have secured Atsushi’s services for the 2009 British Superbike Championship and we look forward to welcoming, both he and his wife, to our base in Northern Ireland. We trust they will enjoy the Irish hospitality and also our way of life," said Relentless team boss Philip Neill
"Atsushi is obviously an immensely talented rider, indicated not only by his results, but also by his status in Japan with Suzuki. He brings a wealth of experience to our team and his development experience throughout the GSX–R range, will I’m sure, prove to be invaluable. Everyone at TAS Racing is excited about this new chapter and we’re already looking forward to testing and developing the 2009 GSX–R1000 with Atsushi in the coming months.”

Watanabe added: “After enjoying my first season in BSB, I’m now very excited to be joining the Relentless Suzuki team for 2009. I am aware of their past results and pedigree, both in British championship and also in international road racing, so I am confident that we can move forward together in 2009 with the all-new GSX–R1000 Suzuki.”
Rizla Suzuki team boss Jack Valentine said: “Atsu is one of the nicest people I have ever met but unfortunately he will not be racing for our team in 2009. I am pleased to say that he will remain within the Suzuki family however and in British Superbikes. The whole team thanks him for his efforts and wishes him the very best for the future.”