Coxhell leaves Suzuki with a pat on the back from Suzuki

Team Suzuki's reigning Australian Superbike Champion Craig Coxhell won't be defending his title in 2004 with the news today that the Shepparton (Victoria) youngster will be contesting next year's British Superbike title.

After a single, title-winning season with Team Suzuki in Australia, 21-year-old Coxhell is following his dream of an overseas racing career, where he will join a string of talented young Aussies on the world motorcycle stage.

"Craig did a sensational job for us this season and while we are sorry to lose him, we congratulate him and wish him all the very best for his overseas ambitions," Suzuki Australia's General Manager, Motorcycles, Perry Morison said.

"Suzuki's faith in Craig's ability was certainly well justified this year and we'll be watching his progress with interest... hopefully we will get a chance to work with him again in the future.

"From our perspective, the opportunity Craig now has is another example of Suzuki providing a training ground for young talent, and a springboard to the world stage."

Coxhell himself leaves Team Suzuki with some reluctance.

"My season with Suzuki has been the best year of my life, and I have enjoyed it immensely," Craig Coxhell said.

"Without Suzuki I would not have had this chance to race overseas, so I can't thank them enough for giving me the opportunity to race and learn from them this year, and for providing me with the equipment to win the title.

"It's been a tremendous experience."

With four consecutive Australian Superbike Championships to its credit, the last three with its dominant Suzuki GSX-R1000, Team Suzuki will again be led by three-title champion Shawn Giles in 2004.

With Coxhell's departure, the most-hotly sought ride in Australian motorcycle racing is up for grabs. Who will team with Shawn Giles in 2004? Suzuki are hoping to make an announcement shortly.