MotoGP: Suzuki show off 2019 machine

Only days before the first test of the 2019 season at Malaysia’s Sepang circuit, Suzuki have been the latest MotoGP team to reveal their livery for the upcoming season, with Alex Rins and rookie Joan Mir showing off a largely unchanged colour scheme for the upcoming season. Forgoing the usual team launch and instead revealing the bike online, it’ll take to track in anger for the first time on Wednesday when the three-day test at Sepang gets underway.

Speaking as they presentyed the new bike, Suzuki MotoGP project leader Shinichi Sahara says it represents the start of an important season for the manufacturer.

“We are approaching the true beginning of this new season with renewed enthusiasm and positivity. The tests at the end of last year gave us important direction, and my expectation is to find ourselves at a competitive level. We have been working on many aspects of the GSX-RR and with the contribution of all our riders – Rins, Mir and the test rider Guintoli – we have been able to improve our technical package.

“For us, 2019 will be an important season: from one side we will have Alex Rins, who is still young in terms of age but is already experienced with our team and our machine, he has the tools to take the victory we long for. On the other hand we’ll start a new training programme with a young talent in the form of Joan Mir, with no pressure on him and all our efforts going towards his development.

“Last year we have also reinforced our test team and Guintoli is a true part of the squad who can give us important feedback, without forgetting the hard work done behind the scenes by Japanese test riders in Hamamatsu. I’d say we have a good and solid set up as a team, and we hope for a positive 2019 season.”