FORCE QUIT!

On a steamy hot May Monday at Jerez, not much seemed out of place in the Suzuki camp. At a post-race IRTA test, its riders were attempting to work out exactly why their Spanish Grand Prix hadn’t quite gone to plan the previous day. A few things were to be tested, then home for 10 days’ rest before it started all over again in France. Only later in the afternoon did recently appointed Team Manager Livio Suppo and Project Leader Shinichi Sahara learn of a special development from Japan.

There was little indication in what was to come. To everyone, including riders and team personnel, it was business as usual. Riders Joan Mir and Alex Rins were readying to sign a contract extension to stay put beyond this year. And as recently as April of last year, the manufacturer had signed a contract extension with series organiser Dorna to stay in MotoGP until 2026.

But the riders were called into Suppo’s office midway through the afternoon, where they were told the manufacturer intended to withdraw. Soon after, the team was gathered to learn of the bombshell news that Suzuki intended to withdraw from MotoGP at the end of the