MotoGP: Suzuki celebrate 60th anniversary with new-look 2020 livery

Suzuki have unveiled a brand-new colour scheme ahead of the 2020 MotoGP season. 

The new livery celebrates the manufacturer’s 60th year in racing, combining the familiar blue with a striking slate silver. The design has been inspired by Ernst Degner’s 50cc title-winning bike in 1962. Degner’s title came two years after Suzuki’s racing debut in the Isle of Man’s Tourist Trophy. 

The fresh look was unveiled by Alex Rins and Joan Mir in a special presentation at Sepang. Rins had a fantastic 2019 campaign, securing his first MotoGP victories (2) and ending the year fourth in the standings. 

“Last season brought me one of the most exciting feelings on earth which was to win my first MotoGP race,” Rins said. “It was a dream come true, and the second victory felt amazing too. I will bring those emotions with me into 2020, as well as the awareness of the growth that I’ve made. One of the most important lessons I’ve learnt is how to better manage a race, especially when I’m leading or fighting.

“I will carry the special livery for the 60 years in racing and this makes me proud. One of the best things about being with Suzuki is that I feel a real family atmosphere, I don’t know if it was also like that in the past, but to me it feels like something they have in the Suzuki DNA, together with constantly striving to win, and I think this really makes a difference.”

Meanwhile, Mir ended his rookie season in top form and there was very little to choose between the Suzuki duo in the final few races. The Spaniard finished in the top 10 on 10 occasions, with a best result of fifth at Phillip Island.

“For sure my expectations for 2020 are much higher than last year, because I’m not a rookie anymore,” Mir said. “We ended last season on a good path, with consistent improvements that helped me to overcome the difficulties that came from the crash in Brno and led me to have some very positive races at the end of the season. 

“The first year has been a learning one, the MotoGP machine is such a beast that you have to learn how to control it, and I had huge support from all of my team. Now I want to build on my experience and start placing my name among the top riders. I have trained very well during winter, I have focused on physical preparation and also on smoothness in riding, which is one thing that my GSX-RR requires, I think.”

Preparations are now underway for the three-day test at Sepang, which begins tomorrow. 

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