What next for Suzuki?
Several very reliable sources have - independently of each other - confirmed Günther Wiesinger's report in Speedweek about Suzuki's MXGP foray. MXMag's reference to Suzuki's decision to officially withdraw next year hit like a bombshell. Many fans reacted with disbelief, some even using the term 'fake news'. Unfortunately, nothing could be further from the truth!
Although we are team owner Stefan Everts were unable to speak to themselves, Speedweek's scoop has been repeatedly confirmed. Given the heavy blow, it is more than understandable that this is expected GRP, Geboers Racing Promotion the company that runs Suzuki's factory team is not communicated. In addition, formal agreements have probably also been made between GRP and suzuki motor corporation about how and especially when this news will eventually come out. Traditionally, these types of official announcements come very late. So we wish those who are waiting to learn the facts a lot of patience.
Possibility to restart?
Suzuki has indicated that it is withdrawing, but it is keeping the possibility of cooperation ajar. After all, the Japanese manufacturer leaves open the option for GRP to continue purely material support. In principle, this could be a solid foundation for a World Cup team. Although on condition that this is supplemented with at least one large, external sponsor. Unfortunately, it is currently extremely difficult to attract a main sponsor outside the motorcycle sector. Even for a living legend like Stefan Everts. The Suzuki factory team has also competed without a title sponsor for the past two years. As a result, the team was not in a comfortable position financially HRC-Honda, Red Bull-KTM, Monster Energy-Yamaha, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna of Monster Energy Kawasaki.
The situation in which a motorcycle or car manufacturer withdraws from a team is typical for anyone who works as an entrepreneur in motorsport. Many teams preceded GRP in this. Depending on the term of the contract, this sometimes means that there is financial compensation. Examples include the Hayat team that after withdrawing from Kawasaki in MotoGP took over from the green brand for the 2009 season. However, any reference to Kawasaki was carefully avoided. Also Brawn gp, later Mercedes Benz F1, made a new start after Honda divested its F1 team. Brawn GP bought the team from Honda in March 2009 and rode to the world title that year with Mercedes engines!
It continued to struggle closer to home Alstare Superbike team of Francis Batta, the figurehead of Suzuki in road racing for years with Corona sponsorship, difficult times by tightening their belts and with the help of a war chest. The fact that in most championships - unlike the Motocross World Championship - the teams share in the TV funds obviously makes them a lot more resilient and less dependent on sponsorship alone...
Unique assets Vs. Harsh reality
If there were to be a restart with Suzuki, the situation would of course be very different. It is certainly positive that the brand from Hamamatsu developed a new RM-Z450 this year. So there is already a good technical basis. A lot of development work was done this year and we should be able to reap the benefits next year. In addition, it is not imaginary that national Suzuki distributors would support a private team, especially if there is a link with a rider of interest to their market. For example, Suzuki Germany was a very important partner of GRP in the past. Also with two strong MXGP riders with great potential, Armin Jasikonis en Jeremy Seewer and Stefan Everts as figurehead, GRP has interesting assets. Furthermore, GRP has the equipment, experience and know-how to compete at a high level in the Motocross World Championship.
However, the latter factor is where the problem lies. To successfully compete with real factory teams, major investments are required, both in terms of materials and personnel. More than ever, logistics and long-distance travel also demand a significant part of the budget. Last but not least, management is the decisive factor. Stefan Everts knows damn well what it takes to be successful. Starting in the World Cup without the prerequisites for success having been met seems to us more like a trap for a naive patron than for the ten-time world champion who knows the ropes. It is therefore a huge question mark whether Everts is prepared to make additional personal investments again after the takeover of GRP. And above all, with what chance of success, both economically and sportingly?
End of an era?
A downsizing and restructuring of the team is therefore anything but obvious. For example, the sale of the workshop is not an issue as it is rented from Sylvain Geboers, the previous owner of GRP. Although the story of the sporting revenge, or the underdog story such as Chad Reed that wrote with his CR TwoTwo private team, is extremely sympathetic, there are enormous risks involved. The chances of successfully completing this challenge - read not digging a financial hole - are rather small. The super professional Everts also knows that a stable environment is crucial to prepare purposefully for 2018. For each of his competitors, this preparation has already started a long time ago. In the meantime, time is running out and the chances of success are decreasing to continue the Suzuki factory chapter in the right way...
This means there is a very real chance that 'The Legend' will effectively disband the GRP team. It would be a logical but bitter decision. After all, GRP lost its main sponsor at the end of 2015 Rockstar Energy In addition, Stefan Everts' team also had to deal with many sporting setbacks. Just after signing his contract with 'the yellows' Steven Frossard also seriously hurt the World Cup return of Ben Townley never brought the hoped-for results and also the experienced ones Kevin Strijbos often fell short of expectations.
However, the new owner of Geboers Racing Promotion brought an undeniable breath of fresh air to the team. In terms of sport, they played the youth card, which this year resulted in a vice world title in the MX2 with Jeremy Seewer and some exploits of Arminas 'Shorty' Jasikonis and the Australian talent Hunter Lawrence. In addition, Suzuki World MXGP shifted into a higher gear in terms of communication with more attention to social media and fun videos. Suzuki's withdrawal from MX2 became known at the end of this summer. Although that was a first major setback, few would have expected that the manufacturer would completely withdraw from the premier class...
Alternative for Suzuki, alternative for the riders?
This leaves the question open for Suzuki as to how they can be present in the World Cup in 2018. Or in general; what next for Suzuki in the GPs? It is quite possible that changed circumstances, a more cost-effective World Cup or the arrival of a major external partner, would inspire Suzuki to re-enter the market. Cyclical movements are simply inherent in the decisions that companies make.
In recent years, the RM-Z has only been moderately represented in the GP paddock. Unfortunately, there was also a transfer from Italy Jtech from Honda to Suzuki, with the support of the Italian distributor, set to fail. However, with many top riders without handlebars, we would be surprised if there is no Suzuki project - in one form or another - for 2018. Whether Stefan Everts will be involved in this, however, is a completely different question.
One thing is certain: to guarantee the viability of the Motocross World Championship, it is very urgent to face the economic reality and make adjustments at policy level. If three of the four Japanese brands withdrawal from the MX2 World Championship and one from the MXGP World Championship can hardly be said to be an isolated case. Time will tell or has he already taught us?
In any case, we wish Stefan Everts and his family, all riders and all members of the MXGP paddock a lot of strength in this turbulent period.
Photos: Ray Archer
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