The penultimate MotoGP round in Valencia will mark a huge moment for Suzuki and their progress in the premier class if Joan Mir and Alex Rins are able to deliver in today’s race. The first thing that’s on everyone’s mind is if Mir is able to finish the race on the podium because if he does, he will be the 2020 MotoGP world champion.
Alex Rins, who’s currently in third (and 2nd place finisher in last week’s race at the same track) will also have something to prove for his manufacturer. If any of the Suzuki Ecstar riders managed to complete the race on the podium, they’ll be the first Suzuki riders to finish the race on the podium in four consecutive races since Kevin Schwantz back in 1994.
However, these challenges have proven themselves to be more difficult than initially anticipated as Joan Mir will start today’s premier class race from P12, while Alex Rins will be doing so from P14. All season long, we can see that the Suzuki GSX-RR is a masterful bike when the lights go out, but their opponents up front won’t be taking things lightly.
The riders on the first two rows alone will be a challenge to pass where Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT) will start from pole position followed by Jack Miller (Pramac Ducati), Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda), Johann Zarco (Esponsorama Racing), Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), and Maverick Vinales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP).
All these riders had good paces all weekend long, and both Mir and Rins will have to do a lot of work from the fourth and fifth rows. Will they be able to succeed and deliver Suzuki’s first-ever triple crown since their return to the premier class, or will they have to wait for Portimao, Portugal next weekend?
Don’t forget to watch the race tonight because it might just a historic one!
