Suzuki to field Tsuda as a guest at the MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix

August 29, 2022

The Japanese Grand Prix, which will be held on September 25, will be the last for the Suzuki team in its country, after the announcement by the Hamamatsu house of leaving the MotoGP world championship at the end of the season.

For the Motegi weekend, which will have a special sensitivity for the team, Suzuki wanted to reward the efforts of its Japanese test rider, Takuya Tsuda , who joined the team on his return to the premier class in 2015.

Tsuda, 38, has only been able to contest one race for the blue team during all these years, the 2017 Spanish Grand Prix, in which he replaced the injured Alex Rins, finishing the race last at the finish line.

“The team wanted to have the opportunity to have a Japanese rider on board their bike for their last appearance in Japan to thank all the fans and customers for supporting the project over the years,” Suzuki said in a statement.

“Tsuda has been a vital part of the Suzuki team since joining as a test rider in 2015, using his extensive experience to build the GSX-RR alongside the racing and development department in Japan, and partnering with Sylvain Guintoli in testing. ”, adds the note.
Despite his advanced age, Tsuda, “who knows the Motegi circuit very well”, recalls Suzuki, remains active competing in the All Japan ST1000 category, where he ranks fourth in the standings, in addition to having shone during his career, with several podium finishes in the Suzuki 8 Hours and in the All Japan series.

“First of all, I want to thank Suzuki for giving me this opportunity,” Tsuda said in the statement. “Over the years I have seen the performances of Suzuki riders in MotoGP races with the GSX-RR in I was involved in the development of it as a test driver. I am now very excited to get on board and be able to race the GSX-RR myself, and in front of the Japanese fans!”

The presence from Tsuda at Motegi at the end of September, has nothing to do with the injury of Joan Mir, who will not be able to take part in this weekend’s San Marino Grand Prix after suffering a heavy crash in Austria. The loss of the 2020 world champion in Misano will be covered by Kazuki Watanabe, who is part of the Suzuki endurance team, who in his last home grand prix hopes to line up his two starting drivers alongside the Japanese Tsuda.

Sylvain Guintoli, Team Suzuki MotoGP, Takuya Tsuda, Team Suzuki MotoGP