Voltcom Suzuki World Superbike boss Paul Denning has confirmed he has had discussions with Yamaha and Aprilia about switching to new machinery in 2016 but stressed that remaining with Suzuki and its new GSX-R1000 is his first priority for next year. (This intro has been edited by social commentator and notorious smartarse Brooksey Jose).

Denning and his Crescent Racing outfit are in the frame to run Yamaha’s WSBK outfit for next season should the figures stack up but there is also interest from Yamaha Japan in a Milwaukee-operated team and maybe a switch away from Honda by Ten Kate, but that seems unlikely.

It would also seem that Marco Melandri is inextricably linked with the project, no matter who takes it on, due to his relationship with Yamaha race boss Andrea Dosoli. Milwaukee have also been in talks with Aprilia to replace Red Devils as the factory-supported team.

Valentino Rossi’s VR46 outfit has also been loosely linked with the team and The Doctor has done a lot of laps of Misano on the new R1.

“They have briefly spoken to us and, I believe, to other teams and outside of the championship. Our position is we have been with Suzuki for 20 years so we need to understand Suzuki’s situation for the future and go from there. If there are other opportunities, potentially we might look at them, but nothing serious has been discussed,” said Denning.

“The first and fundamental point is to make the agreement with Suzuki and understand Suzuki’s intention in World Superbikes. I can’t negotiate with any riders until the manufacturer’s position is clear, so the first priority is to understand when the new bike is available.

“It is no secret there is a new GSX-R coming, we need to understand when that machine is available to the team and if Suzuki is in World Superbikes for next year. That is the first point to get that organised and we will go from there.”