Rumours regarding Suzuki's withdrawal from the FIM MXGP in 2018 have been confirmed after Suzuki Motor Corporation announced it is suspending its involvement in the FIM World MXGP from 2018.
Suzuki is also pulling out of All Japan Motocross activities but assures its customers it will continue to actively support various National MX and SX championships including those in the USA.
The news comes soon after Hunter Lawrence confirmed his deal with GEICO Honda in the U.S.A for 2019 which will see the young Australian ride for Team Honda 114 Motorsports in the 2018 FIM World MXGP Championship MX2 class.
Suzuki Motor Corporation Press Release:
Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) has decided to suspend participation in the FIM World MXGP Championship and All Japan Motocross activities from 2018. SMC will continue to actively support various National MX and SX championships including those in the USA.
Evidenced by the recent release of the all-new 2018 RM-Z450, SMC shall continue the development of motocross machinery, supporting this important global market by providing valued products for their customers utilising experience earned through numerous racing activities.
Suzuki Australia wants to reassure our customers that it’s business as usual with regards to racing and motocross bike sales here in Australia. We have recently announced the 2018 Suzuki Support Rider (SSR) program which rewards senior riders who successfully compete on current generation RM-Z motorcycles in National/State Motocross and Supercross Championships, and we are very much looking forward to travelling the country with our RM-Z customer test rides days in November.