- 2018 Suzuki bike [Copyright: Suzuki]

Suzuki reveals 2018 MotoGP challenger in Malaysia with Iannone & Rins

The Japanese manufacturer had its official launch for the 2018 season.

3y ago
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Team Suzuki Ecstar is the third MotoGP team to reveal its 2018 challenger after Ducati and Yamaha. The Japanese manufacturer had its unveil in Malaysia just a day before the official pre-season test kicks-off at Sepang International Circuit.

Both its riders Andrea Iannone and Alex Rins along with the team officials were present to reveal the new bike sporting the similar all-blue livery, having white and fluorescent yellow stripes on the Suzuki GSX-RR.

With no satellite teams for Suzuki, the manufacturer team remains the sole user of the bike. The Japanese manufacturer will have a work on its hands after they finished fourth in the constructors' standings and sixth in the teams' standings in a roller coaster 2017 season.

It will be the same for its riders after Iannone was just 13th in the riders' standings last year, while Rins was 16th but the young Spaniard missed five races due to injury. This will be their second season with Suzuki.

Full team [Copyright: Suzuki]

Full team [Copyright: Suzuki]

Team Manager Davide Brivio said: "This season will be our fourth since we came back to the premier class and we have to try our best to improve compared to last year’s performance. All the Suzuki engineers in the factory and the team members have been working relentlessly during the winter, and we hope we have found a good basis to restart in a good way.

"The most important thing is that we are starting again and we were able to harvest a lot of good experience from last season when we struggled so much, especially during the first three quarters of the championship. We have learnt from the difficulties and the group have stayed strong all the time despite the disappointing results.

"We have to understand how much our 2018 machine has improved, especially with the new engine spec., but also in terms of chassis. Let’s see if from the first test in Sepang we can note the improvements and better feelings for the riders, so we can concentrate on completing a nice season and pay back all Suzuki’s efforts."

Iannone commented: "I’m eager to restart after a long winter break without riding my GSX-RR. This season my approach to the World Championship is a bit different to the one I had a year ago. I already have experience of working with Suzuki, I know my team really well, and honestly speaking I’m hungry to test the new bike.

"I think this bike suits my riding style pretty well, and I’m very motivated for the coming season. Once we identify the problems we suffered last year, and then add to that a really good technical basis we can achieve our goals, and those are to try to fight in the Top 5 in every race.

"During the winter break I worked really hard not only physically but also mentally and I feel confident we can complete a fantastic season. Let’s see what is going on with all the rivals as well and what the real level is like in the first Sepang test."

Rins added: "The winter break is pretty long. This new season is about to start and for me it is completely different to what I experienced last year. This time I have had a ‘normal’ winter break; I mean I was able to train hard and I feel ready to start a new season.

"I think this time I’m arriving in much better form than last year, and I finished last season with a very good feeling on the bike. In any case I want to keep learning. Our idea is to gain more kilometres with the new GSX-RR, continue improving my pace on a MotoGP bike, and take everything race by race. Then if we are able to complete all of this in a good way, let’s see what will happen! I’m very positive and keen to ride a MotoGP bike again."

Launch [Copyright: Youtube]

Launch [Copyright: Youtube]

[Image courtesy: Suzuki] #MotoGP #Bike #Suzuki #Motorsport #2018 #Malaysia #Japan #SuzukiGSX #FIM

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