News

The Suzuki brand will return to MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship competition for the first time in three years with a wildcard appearance at the Pirelli Navarra Round, with Naomichi Uramoto riding the GSX-R1000 machine at the Circuito de Navarra, meaning there will be six manufacturers on the grid at the Spanish venue.

Suzuki last entered WorldSBK with wildcards at Donington Park in 2018, giving Gino Rea and Bradley Ray a home venue with Ray taking a double points scoring finish. Suzuki have recorded 32 wins and 139 podiums throughout their time in WorldSBK previously as well as one Manufacturers’ Championship title in 2005.

Uramoto currently competes in the Spanish superbike championship for Suzuki with the national championship due to visit Navarra shortly after WorldSBK’s visit. Uramoto has won a championship in his native Japan and has been competing in Spain since 2018, finishing eighth in the standings in his debut season, fifth in 2019 and fourth last season.

Discussing his wildcard appearance, Uramoto said: “I do not know what to expect, as this has been decided so suddenly, but I thank the team for giving me this great opportunity. Since this is my first time racing in the World Superbike Championship, I am looking forward to it. Since I have an ESBK race at the same circuit the following week, I will try to enjoy it thinking as it as a test for the following week.”

Suzuki will compete alongside Yamaha, Kawasaki, Ducati BMW and Honda at Navarra with six manufacturers competing at the circuit in Los Arcos, Spain. Uramoto will be the sole Suzuki rider on the grid at Navarra but will be hoping he can impress as he makes his debut on the world stage.

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