Suzuki and motorcycle racing, a long love story

Suzuki is one of the largest and most historic motorcycle companies in the world, with a long tradition in motorcycle racing. Its involvement in motorcycle racing dates back to the 1960s, when he started participating in the motocross world championship. In the following years, the Hamamatsu-based company expanded its presence in the motorcycle world championship, participating in several categories, including. the 250 cc, the 500 cc and the MotoGP.

A history of ups and downs and great champions

Suzuki has achieved a great deal of success in motorcycle racing, winning world titles in several categories. Among its most famous riders are such names as. Barry Sheene, Kevin Schwantz, Kenny Roberts Jr., Joan Mir e Alex Rins.

However - and again to the great regret of the brand's fans - Suzuki announced its retirement from MotoGP at the end of 2011, and then returned regularly in 2015. After a difficult period, Suzuki began to achieve good results, going on to win the drivers title with Joan Mir in 2020.

Even the recent news of the Suzuki's new withdrawal from MotoGP left motorcycle enthusiasts in awe, especially because of the high level of competitiveness achieved by the beautiful Suzuki GSX-RR 2022.

In fact, the farewell to the motorcycle world championship took place with the fantastic victory of Alex Rins in the GP of Valencia. One is almost incredulous at the idea that a manufacturer capable of winning in the most technological and competitive category in motorcycling still decides to leave the scene ... let's hope it is (again) only a parenthesis.

In general, the Suzuki's history in the MotoGP is that of a company that has established itself as a major player in motorcycle racing worldwide, achieving numerous successes and developing cutting-edge technologies for its motorcycles.

All this, however, combined with the choice (or need) to Taking long 'reflection periods'... of exits from the scene that have, however, always seen it return to the track with one goal in mind, to develop increasingly competitive and winning motorcycles.

Early world victories with Barry Sheene

Barry Sheene was One of the most famous British motorcycle racers in history, known for his outstanding performance and bold riding style. Sheene began his motorcycle racing career in the 1970s, soon becoming one of Suzuki's most representative drivers.

With the Suzuki RG 500, Sheene has achieved numerous successes, including. two consecutive world titles in the 500 cc class in 1976 and 1977. During these years, Sheene became one of the most popular riders in motorcycle racing, thanks in part to his swaggering personality And to his extravagant lifestyle.

Sheene continued to race with Suzuki until the late 1970s., before moving on to other teams. However, his connection with Suzuki remained strong throughout his life, and his reputation as a legendary driver was enhanced by his outstanding performances with the Japanese manufacturer.

Sheene is died prematurely in 2003, but remains one of the greatest motorcycle riders in history and his name is inextricably linked to that of the Suzuki brand.

The Italian one-two punch with Lucchinelli and Uncini

At the turn of the late 1970s and early 1980s, the Suzuki RG 500 proved to be a high-performance and reliable motorcycle, are many riders aboard the legendary 'Gamma 500' and this also allows the Hamamatsu company to grab several manufacturer titles in the top series.

In 1981, the world title was won by Marco Lucchinelli, with a total of 5 victories and 2 podiums the Italian rider, known as the 'crazy horse' for his riding style, won the third world title for Suzuki.

In 1982, Suzuki's top driver became Franco Uncini instead., which realizes the feat of the two consecutive world titles for the house motorcycling.

Suzuki comes to win seven consecutive manufacturer titles, so the superiority of the bike that was developed by its engineers is obvious.

Suzuki epic with Kevin Schwantz

Kevin Schwantz was an American motorcycle racer, best known for his world championship motorcycle racing career riding the Suzuki RGV 500. Schwantz began racing in the 500 cc world championship in 1986, immediately as a Suzuki driver. In his first two years, he achieved a series of good results, eventually reaching win his first Grand Prix in Japan in the debut race of the 1988 season.

In the years that followed, Schwantz continued to be One of the strongest and most funambulistic drivers in the category, finishing second in the 1990 championship, third in the 1991 championship and winning the 500cc world title in 1993. His great courage and extreme riding style led him to become a true idol for the motorcyclists of those years and also for those of later generations.

A pilot who put his heart above everything, often risking more than he had to... which led him to collect several injuries over the course of his career In the queen class.

In total, Schwantz Has won 25 Grand Prix in his career, including 24 aboard a Suzuki.

After the retirement from competition in 1995, Schwantz was inducted into the MotoGP Hall of Fame in 2000 and the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2013. In addition, Suzuki created a special motorcycle in his honor, called the GSX-R1000 Kevin Schwantz Edition, which pays tribute to his career and his connection with the brand.

The last world title in the 500 class with Kenny Roberts Jr.

Kenny Roberts Jr. was an American motorcycle racer who successfully raced in the world motorcycle racing championship in the 1990s and 2000s. Roberts Jr. began his motorcycle racing career in the 250 cc class of 1993, later going on to race With Suzuki in the 500 cc category in 1999.

In his first year in Suzuki, he managed to achieve an astonishing victory in the second race in the Malaysian GP, immediately fighting for the world title and finishing second at the end of the championship.

In 2000, he won his first rainbow title with Suzuki., beating the legendary Valentino Rossi in a thrilling title fight. Roberts Jr. remained with Suzuki until 2005, then retired from world-level competition during the year 2007.

He then put his signature on thelast world championship won by Suzuki in the 500 cc class, in fact, 4-stroke motorcycles were introduced in 2002 and the MotoGP class was established.

The debut of the GSV-R in MotoGP and the first victory

2002 is the year of the great revolution, 2-stroke engines are leaving the scene for good to make way for the 4-stroke MotoGP, initially of 990 cc cubic capacity and then increased to 800 cc in the 2007 season.

Suzuki debuted in MotoGP in 2002 with the GSV-R equipped with V4 engine, with riders Kenny Roberts Jr. and Sete Gibernau but in the early years no particular results came.

Suzuki's first victory in MotoGP comes in 2007 with the GSV-R 800, in the wet race at Le Mans (French GP), and bears the signature of Chris Vermeulen.

Retirement at the end of 2011 and return to victory in 2016

At the end of the 2011 season Suzuki announced that it would temporarily suspend its participation in the MotoGP championship, immediately indicating 2014 as the year of its return.

Returned to full capacity in MotoGP in 2015, Suzuki in just a few years has shown that it can become a winner again, making motorcycles that have made the 'general balance and agility their strengths.

The re-entry bike is the GSX-RR, is equipped with a motor 4 cylinders in line and immediately proves to be competitive and reliable.

Indeed, proof of this comes in the form of Suzuki's first victory by Maverick Vinales in the Silverstone GP in 2016.

The 2020 world title in MotoGP with Joan Mir

2019 is the year of growth for the Suzuki project, the bike finds the ideal balance and come two important victories with Alex Rins, who finds himself a constant presence in the top six race positions.

The bike is there, in addition to being reliable it is very well balanced and fast, and now it is possible to aim for maximum results.

In fact, the 2020 MotoGP world championship was won by Joan Mir, a Spanish Suzuki rider. It was his first world title in MotoGP and the seventh title for Suzuki, which had already won six times in the 500cc class.

Mir was able to win the title thanks to a very solid season, distinguished by many podiums and one victory. He fought for the title from the beginning of the season and, despite some ups and downs, managed to maintain a top position in the overall standings throughout the season. At the end of the season, he had a 13-point lead over the other title contender, Franco Morbidelli.

The 2020 MotoGP championship was marked by several challenges, such as COVID-19 and the subsequent readjustment of the race calendar. Despite these difficulties, Mir was able to maintain his concentration and bring home the title in exemplary fashion. His victory, combined with the third place in the standings of teammate Alex Rins, represented a triumph for Suzuki and the Ecstar team, which worked hard to achieve these successes.

Last victory and farewell to MotoGP in 2022

During the course of the 2022 MotoGP championship Suzuki declares it will leave world competition at the end of the current year, leaving everyone somewhat incredulous about the news, given the excellent results achieved in recent years of participation.

These are the words of the president Toshihiro Suzuki relating to Suzuki's motivations for making this choice:

Suzuki has decided to end MotoGP and EWC participation in the face of the need to reallocate resources to other sustainability initiatives. Motorcycle racing has always been an exciting place for technological innovation, including sustainability and human resource development. This decision means that we will accept the challenge of building the new motorcycle business by redirecting the technological capabilities and human resources we have cultivated through motorcycle racing activities to investigate other paths to a sustainable society

The farewell is sweetened by the beautiful season finale of Alex Rins, which after the victory in the Australian GP at Phillip Island is repeated in the very closing race of the 2022 MotoGP championship, in the Valencia GP.

A GP that sees 2022 world champion 'Pecco' Bagnaia graduate on Ducati and marks what sounds like a real goodbye of Suzuki from the motorcycling world championship.