Rizla Suzuki have this evening confirmed that 250GP rider Alvaro Bautista will join the squad in 2010 ad part of a two-year deal and will ride alongside Loris Capirossi next season.

The news leaves former World Supersport Champion Chris Vermeulen looking for a job next season but he has already stated he will ride for nothing if the right package is available.

Bautista was Spanish 125cc champion in 2003 and crowned 125cc World Champion in 2006 He moved up to the 250cc class in 2007 and earned the ‘Rookie of the Year' title for his impressive results.

Bautista was runner-up in the 2008 title race and he is currently in contention for this season's 250cc championship, sitting in second place with six races remaining. Since his Grand Prix debut in 2002 Bautista has scored 43 podiums including 16 victories (eight in each class). The 24-year-old hails from Talavera de la Reina in Spain, a town approximately 130kms west of Madrid.

A team spokesman said: "Suzuki is very pleased to have achieved the signing of one of the brightest young stars in Grand Prix racing and looks forward to developing a strong relationship and exciting races with Alvaro Bautista."