Racing: Vermeulen let go by Suzuki

As widely expected, Australian Chris Vermeulen has lost his place in the factory Suzuki MotoGP squad for 2010, with Loris Capirossi renewing his contract to remain alongside new signing Alvaro Bautista.

Suzuki's media release announcing Capirossi's retention acknowledged Vermeulen's commitment and hard work over the last four years, but with the back slapping all over and done the sobering situation is that the 27-year-old Queenslander is now fighting for his MotoGP life.

At this stage, by all reports his only real prospect of remaining in the premier class is with the French Yamaha Tech 3 squad, which is currently fielding American Colin Edwards and Briton James Toseland.

Toseland appears to be the most vulnerable after a lacklustre year and, even if he goes, the competition to fill his seat will be fierce, with Vermeulen certain to be jostling against the likes of dumped San Carlo Gresini Honda pair Toni Elias and Alex de Angelis, who recorded his maiden MotoGP podium at Indianapolis last weekend.

If he can't find a spot in MotoGP, Vermeulen would almost certainly find a plum seat in world superbikes, where he came from at the end of 2005 after finishing second to countryman Troy Corser.