Vermeulen considering SBK switch

Vermeulen, riding for Suzuki this year, will leave the Japanese team at the end of the season to be replaced by Spaniard Alvaro Bautista.

The Australian rider says he has an offer from the Pramac team and from another squad that will join MotoGP next year.

"I've got two options in MotoGP with reasonable teams, but I don't think with the way the championship is and the rules in place, these teams aren't going to be teams that are going to challenge for victories week in and week out," Vermeulen told Australia's the Sunshine Coast Daily.

"One's the second Ducati team. The motorbikes are the same as their factory team, but it hasn't proven an easy bike to ride for anyone except Casey Stoner. The other is a new team that's coming into the championship.

"I decided a few months ago I wasn't going to stay at Suzuki next year. I let them know quite early because they've been good to me."

Vermeulen, however, believes that he could challenge for the title in SBK if he accepted one of the offers he has.

"I'm also seriously considering some World Superbikes options and I've got offers from three or four manufacturers to be a factory rider," he added.

"I believe if I go with one of these [World Superbikes offers] I can seriously challenge to win races and hopefully the title.

"I've said to my management whatever I get on, and I don't expect to go on any bike at world championship level and win every week, but I want to be on a package that gives me the opportunity to show my potential and race where I think I should be, which is up the front."