MotoGP: Alberto Puig to succeed Suppo as Repsol Honda boss

HRC have conformed speculation that former Grand Prix race winner and MotoGP talent spotter Alberto Puig will succeed the departing Livio Suppo as the boss of the Repsol Honda MotoGP team, taking over from the Italian as team principal and boss to Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa.

Already an advisor to the squad as well as personal manager to a number of racers including Pedrosa, the Spaniard was widely tipped as the most likely candidate to take over from Suppo, and will start in his new role at the end of this month at MotoGP’s first official test at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia.

Speaking in a statement after the news was announced, the 50-year old admitted that the appointment was the culmination of a relationship with Honda that’s spanned half his life.

“I’m very grateful to HRC for this opportunity they have given me with the Repsol Honda Team. I’ve been with Honda for the last 25 years of my professional career, first as a rider, then as a team manager in the smaller classes, and lately as a coach for many of the Asian riders Honda have around the world.

“To have the chance to be in this position in one of the most successful teams in the MotoGP championship is a very big honour for me, so I can only focus on giving my best back to Honda and on trying to help them to achieve their goals. I’m sure our riders will be ready when the time comes, and we as a team will also be ready to once again fight for the title, with humility but also with great determination.”

The news will likely mean more movement in the MotoGP corporate structure, however, as Puig leaves his role at series organisers Dorna, where he was responsible for youth development and the director of both the British and Asia Talent Cup series.