Feelings Of Suzuki Mixed Aruk Manager Ahead Of MotoGP Japan

Suzuki (Instagram.com/@suzukimotogp)

JAKARTA - Suzuki Estar manager, Livio Suppo revealed his mixed feelings ahead of the 2022 Japanese MotoGP race at the Motegi Circuit. According to him, the feeling of joy and sadness will come at the same time as the draw on the weekend.

The MotoGP race was finally held again in Japan after two years of absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Japan's re-engaged MotoGP series this season was warmly welcomed by Suppo.

The manager is happier because Japan is home to Suzuki. In the race two years ago, the circuit also produced quite competitive riders.

It feels good that the championship is finally back in Japan. This is a special feeling for me to be here with Suzuki where their last race in Motegi was in 2019," said Livio, quoted by Suzuki's official website, Thursday.

Besides being happy, Livio Suppo also admitted that he was sad. The reason is, when undergoing a series at home, Suzuki Ecstar is actually not strengthened by the mainstay racer, Joan Mir.

Mir is confirmed to be absent from MotoGP Japan because he is still struggling to recover from the injury he got at the Austrian MotoGP last month. With the absence of the 2020 MotoGP champion, the team chose local racer Takuya Tsuda as his successor.

Even without Mir's presence, Suppo hopes that this race can be a moment of development of his motorbike as well as an entertainment for the audience.

"Of course there will be a slight feeling of sadness as well, and also a shame because Joan (Mir) can't drive, but we want to celebrate success with the fans and enjoy being here," said Livio.

"Tsuda-san will join us to replace Joan, and as a recognition for the important work she has done over the years to develop GSX-RR," concluded the manager.

In this series, Suzuki not only relied on Takuya Tsuda but also Alex Rins. The second name has a record that is not too bad, because in the Japanese MotoGP edition in 2019 he finished in seventh or one position above Joan Mir in eighth.