At the Test Day at Catalunya yesterday, Suzuki announced that they will be returning to MotoGp. That much is no surprise; it has been an open secret for months. What was a shock was the timing of the return with Suzuki confirming that it won’t be coming back till 2015, not next year as many expected. Here is the text of the official press release.
Suzuki Motor Corporation will return to FIM Road Racing Grand Prix MotoGP in 2015
After two years suspension since 2012, Suzuki Motor Corporation has organised its test team to undergo more practical running tests at its advanced development stage and will participate in the official joint testing to be held at the Catalunya circuit in Spain.
Through continuing running tests at the circuits inside and outside Japan for further development and refinement, Suzuki Motor Corporation will participate again in MotoGP racing from 2015.
Suzuki Motor Corporation will feed back advanced technology to be derived through MotoGP racing activity to develop further attractive production models.“The outline of testing team and racing machine to be developed are as follows:
Chief members of Europe testing team in 2013:
– Team manager: Davide Brivio
– Development rider: Randy De PunietMotoGP machine to be developed:
– 1000cc In-line four GP racer”
Unfortunately, Suzuki’s timing is as a result of DORNA’s previously announced decision not to provide any financial support for any new teams joining the circus in 2014. Bridgestone, likewise, have announced that no free tyres will be supplied to any new team joining in 2014. I don’t know about you, but Id have thought that, with dwindling grids, the chaos that is CRT and decreasing TV revenue, it would be in DORNA’s best interests to get another factory team back on the grid as soon as possible.
Anyway, Randy de Puniet tested the bike at the test day yesterday and surprised many by setting the 8th fastest time of the day (the Honda team didn’t test), only 8/10 of a second slower than Jorge Lorenzo’s best time for the day, very competitive.
So we have to endure a whole year and a half of controlled leaks from Suzuki about how the bike is going!
Still on MotoGp, last weekend’s Catalan GP was a cracker of a race if you leave Jorge Lorenzo out of the equation. Much as I appreciate his flawless riding, the fact is that he is as boring as when just clicks off the laps the way that he does. He can’t do anything else, of course, it’s not his fault, but it’s a good thing that there was a battle for 2nd otherwise the race would have been completely forgettable. 🙂
sanoptic says
Always amazes me that someone like Colin Edwards whom in his prime was World Superbike champion can for the last few years just ride around mid pack race after race with no chance of a podium. [Maybe he has but i can’t recall ]
I know he’s just doing it to put bread on the table for his family & i don’t have a problem with that but this guy was so competitive & fearless & now he’s just reduced to a midfielder. On TV you only see the top guys & while there’s such a disparity with the bikes thats all we see & boring to boot.
Honestly i love watching Moto2 & 3 much more the Motogp these days.
Phil Hall says
I absolutely agree. Both Hayden and Edwards are way past their use-by dates. The only thing that is keeping me interested in the big races at the moment is the arrival of Marquez. He really is stirring things up!
sanoptic says
Your right Phil if it wasn’t for Marquez i wouldn’t bother with Motogp at all.
It’s such a shame that Casey Stoner retired at such a young age ,he & Marquez have very similar riding styles
& a can do at all costs attitude.
Thats what that class needs ‘real dogfight racing’.
Phil Hall says
Absolutely agree. The class is being taken over by robots 🙂
Phil.gt3 says
You have to admit though, they are very clever ‘robots’ to ride such technically sophisticated machinery! With respect Stoner retiring; he was smart in my opinion and I believe his timing was perfect.
Phil Hall says
Oh, absolutely, and, yes, Stoner’s timing was perfect.