“Suzuki’s MotoGP future will be decided by the end of June after bosses held crunch talks in Japan recently.
MotoGP boss Paul Denning made a whirlwind one-day visit to the Hamamatsu factory prior to the recent Estoril MotoGP round to discuss Suzuki’s participation in the new 1000cc class next season.
Suzuki blamed the on-going impact of the global financial crisis for its decision to cut its factory involvement down to just one GSV-R in 2011 and speculation has been rife about its future plans ever since.
Many thought the project being scaled back to one bike for Alvaro Bautista was the first step to a complete withdrawal at the end of 2011, but Denning told MCN: “I would say that the meetings were positive with no conclusions as yet. Suzuki’s internal process for the project is up for approval by the end of June, but the meeting gave a good platform to discuss options and ideas of how we move forward.
“I can’t speak directly on behalf of Suzuki Japan in terms of a final decision but I would say there is an optimistic atmosphere and a positive feeling that Suzuki want to remain in the championship.”
Denning said his recommendation to Suzuki senior management was for the factory to restore its involvement back to two bikes and he added: “That would certainly be, as it was for this year, the racing team’s preference and it would certainly be my huge recommendation.
“That was obviously discussed in Japan but ultimately there will be a decision based on more than my recommendations and more than what maybe sometimes makes sporting sense. There are other factors that weigh in. I believe that Suzuki will return to two riders without doubt, but the question is whether that is immediately or a couple of years down the line.” ”
courtesy of MCN who, despite not always being the most accurate, do have more of a handle on what’s happening at the British end than most, and, since Rizla Suzuki is a British-based outfit, this is probably as accurate as it’s going to get at the moment.
Aussies overseas.
Alex Cudlin’s bike only lasted 30 minutes into the 2nd round of the EWC at Alabcete is Spain before the motor let go in a big way, ending their day. A pity because Cudlin’s lap times put him 5th overall and first of the Superstock bikes by a considerable margin.
Tonight sees the IDM back at Nurburgring with IDM regulars, defending champion Karl Muggeridge, defending Supersport champion Damian Cudlin as well as Gareth Jones (co-winner of the 2009 Six Hour and widlcard rider Troy Herfoss (Australian Supersport champion 2009). Up and coming 125cc rider, Jack Miller, will also be in action in the tiddlers race.
The North West 200 finished early with rain, a security alert, a huge oil spill and impending darkness bringing proceedings to a halt. Only the Supersport race was run with Aussie Cameron Donald finishing 2nd ahead of Kiwi, Bruce Anstey. Since organisers have to have permission in advance to close the public roads for the event, it looks like that will be all for the popular, but dangerous, Irish event.
Ryan Farquhar’s bike copped a stone in the oil cooler 2 laps into the Superbike race with the following result.
As is usually the case, the rider doesn’t know about this till the bike starts to get squirrelly or the engine lets go (as happened to Ryan) so the track was coated like this for about 2 miles. By the time it was cleaned up and the race re-started, it was still sheeting down rain and the riders pulled the pin. Can’t say that I blame them.