Team Suzuki Ecstar has launched its 2020 MotoGP bike in a special event in Malaysia, following the three-day shakedown at Sepang.
Suzuki becomes the fourth team to show its 2020 MotoGP bike after Ducati, Aprilia and Honda, as riders Alex Rins and Joan Mir were present in Malaysia for the unveil along with its chief Davide Brivio, Shinichi Sahara and Ken Kawauchi.
Test rider Sylvain Guintoli was also in attendance at Sepang as the new GSX-RR was unveiled with a different colour scheme as the blue is now mixed with grey – both on the MotoGP bike as well as the rider race suits.
“Last season brought me one of the most exciting feelings on earth which was to win my first MotoGP race,” said Rins. “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.
“Now in 2020 we have to stay focused and get good results, more podiums for sure and hopefully also more wins. This is the path to success, I believe: little by little, step by step, with hard work all together.”
At the same time, Mir stated: “For sure my expectations for 2020 are much higher than last year, because I’m not a rookie anymore. 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. Beside this, I’m really eager to get on my MotoGP machine again in Sepang and start to improve further.
“It’s going to be an important year for Suzuki and the blue-silver livery looks amazing on my GSX-RR, I’m proud to be part of this historic year and carry such racing heritage on my fairing.”
Meanwhile, Brivio added: “The 2019 season was important for us because we showed consistent progress throughout the whole year, and I believe this is the right path to success. Alex got two wins which was our target before the season and then another podium. We learnt a lot and it was another important step for Alex and for the Team.
“We are also very happy with Joan because he showed steady progress and overcame the significant injury he got in Brno to end the season with some very solid races. Not only the results have been outstanding, but also the whole approach to the race weekend and the working methodology. On both sideswe can take good lessons from 2019 into 2020.
“Of course this will be a special year for Suzuki as it’s the 60th year in racing, so we feel even more motivated to do well in front of all our Company and our fans. Our Engineers in Japan have worked on several items and small details, other than engine, during the winter trying to improve our good package. The riders are ready and excited, so I believe we have to set our target to improve again and again the performance of the team with both riders.”
The 2020 MotoGP season is a big year for Suzuki after a fruitful 2019 where the Japanese manufacturer finished fifth in the teams’ championship with two wins. The idea will now be to put on a good challenge against Honda, Ducati and Yamaha.
More photos can be found, here.
The 2020 MotoGP unveils:
Aprilia – in test livery
