Source: Supplied.

After weeks of speculation, Suzuki has confirmed it will suspend its support in the MXGP World Championship and All Japan Motocross series from 2018.

The manufacturer released a brief statement over night, indicating a review of its motorcycle operations and focus on the core business functions resulted in the brand concluding its MXGP activities next year.

In 2017, the Stefan Everts-managed Suzuki World MXGP outfit fielded Kevin Strijbos and Arminas Jasikonis, who raced aboard the all-new and heavily updated 2018 RM-Z450 all season long, which has recently been released in Australia.

The news also means the MX2 division of the factory team will also forfeit the series, which hosted Australian talent Hunter Lawrence this year alongside Jeremy Seewer – who finished runner-up – Bas Vaessen and Zachary Pichon.

Evidently well aware of the news in advance, it was revealed earlier this month that Lawrence signed a unique four-year deal with Honda that would see him contest the world championship in 2018, before transitioning to the AMA circuit from 2019 with the prestigious Geico Honda outfit.