2014 World Superbike champion and former grand prix rider Sylvain Guintoli will stand in for the injured Alex Rins at the French Grand Prix in two weeks’ time.
MotoGP rookie Rins will be out of action for at least the next six weeks, after sustaining a broken wrist in a nasty highside crash in FP3 at the Circuit of the Americas. Suzuki test rider Takuya Tsuda will deputise at Jerez this weekend, and will also take part in a test on the Monday after the race.
Guintoli last rode in MotoGP full time in 2008, the Frenchman contesting a season in British Superbikes and seven in WorldSBK since then, as well as taking part in a one-off appearance at the 2011 German Grand Prix with Pramac Ducati.
After a difficult 2016 in WorldSBK with Pata Yamaha, which was heavily curtailed by injury, Guintoli made a return to BSB for this year with the Bennetts Suzuki team aboard the all new GSX1000R. Currently, he sits 12th in the standings on 15 points having scored a best result of seventh.
“First, I would like to thank Suzuki for giving me this fantastic opportunity,” said Guintoli, who briefly led his home race in 2007 on the Tech 3 Yamaha.
“Being able to ride the GSX-RR, currently one of the fastest racing machines in the world, is a very exciting prospect, let alone at my home race in front of the French fans.
“The Le Mans Grand Prix brings back a lot of strong memories, the best one of course leading the MotoGP race for a few laps in 2007.”
Guintoli has no experience of the current generation 1000cc MotoGP prototypes, nor the Michelin tyres. He admits that these two factors will take some adjusting to, but it is a challenge he relishes. The Frenchman will get his first taste of the GSX-RR in a test on Tuesday at Jerez.
“This is going to be a very difficult challenge, adapting to the very powerful prototypes MotoGP machine and the Michelin tyres, but my main goal is to enjoy the experience and give 100% commitment to the Team Suzuki Ecstar.
“The test on Tuesday will give us some time to adapt and to start understanding this amazing motorcycle. Finally, I want to wish a very good recovery to Alex.”
