MotoGP Valencia: Suzuki set for ‘strange and sad’ farewell

While MotoGP is set for the season finale, none in the paddock will be more emotional than Suzuki Ecstar.

As 2022 calls time on racing action, Suzuki is once again ready to depart the premier class after a seven year sojourn. The Hamamatsu outfit having already left MotoGP back in 2011 for a three-year hiatus before returning with the now Aprilia duo of Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Viñales.

The highs of 2020’s championship winning season in the hands of Joan Mir were met by the lows of May’s Jerez test when news broke out of nowhere that 2022 would be the team’s last year in the paddock. Suzuki currently holds 37 podiums to its name across the seven seasons of its reincarnation, six on the top step and four thanks to current rider Alex Rins.

With just one race left of 2022, Mir and Rins are preparing to go out on a high before the pair both move on to Honda machinery with their respective Repsol and LCR teams for 2023.

“It’s going to be a strange and sad weekend, but I’m determined to have a good one,” Rins said from Valencia. “My team have given me everything over the years, and I’ll give my all to pay them back with a good result one last time.

“Our team attitude has always been to try and stay happy, so let’s enter Valencia with good vibes and try to enjoy every moment.”

“I want to put everything together for this final round, for me and for my squad,” 2020 Champion Mir added. “I can be fast here, and my bike can be too, but we just need a little bit of luck on our side to tie it all together.

“I’ve had a few issues lately such as my arm pump in Malaysia, and the pressure gauge problem in Australia, and all I want now is to have a trouble-free weekend so I can bring this chapter to a close with my fantastic team and