American Suzuki announced today that Team Makita Suzuki Racing has signed former World Supercross Champion and French Supercross Champion David Vuillemin to race the Makita Suzuki RM-Z450 in the 2008 AMA Supercross and AMA Motocross series.

"I feel with the kind of support that Makita Suzuki can provide, David will excel," said Makita Suzuki Team Manager Roger DeCoster.

"He's known to be a good test rider and I think he will be very helpful with the brand-new RM-Z450 we will be racing. I believe this relationship will turn out to be very positive for everyone. Also, I'd like to thank Mark Kvamme of MDK Motorsports for supporting David in his decision to sign with Makita Suzuki."

Vuillemin (29) spent the first part of his career racing and winning 125cc and 250cc Supercross championships in Europe before coming to the U.S. in 2000. Stateside, the Frenchman is a seven-time Supercross winner and three-time Motocross winner. He has more than 40 podium finishes to his credit, and he was the top SX privateer in 2007 and the top MX privateer in 2006.
 
"I am super-pumped to sign with Makita Suzuki," said Vuillemin. "I can't wait to ride the new EFI-powered Makita Suzuki RM-Z450 and I'm happy to be back in a factory team. I'm also looking forward to working with Roger DeCoster and all the team members. I am ready to make the best of that opportunity to get back on the podium."

Vuillemin will join the Makita Suzuki team on October 1st and will replace Ivan Tedesco, who will be released from his contract at the end of September 2007.

"We are very disappointed that things didn't work out with Ivan," said DeCoster. "He is a very talented rider and rode very well in his first season with Makita Suzuki, finishing fourth overall in 2006. He also looked good in testing before the first World Supercross rounds in Canada before he was injured. We're just sorry that things turned out as they did and we wish Ivan all the best."