Alex Rins has been signed by Ecstar Suzuki for the 2017-18 seasons
Alex Rins will ride the Suzuki GSX-RR along with Andrea Iannone
Aleix Espargaro could move to factory team Gresini Aprilia next season
The last of the driver swaps have happened in MotoGP, as factory team Ecstar Suzuki has signed Alex Rins for a two-year deal starting in 2017. Alex will be riding the second Suzuki GSX-RR next season along with Andrea Iannone, and replaces Aleix Espargaro. It was destined that the Japanese factory team will make this move sooner or later as it did not gel with Suzuki's strategy of having two experienced riders.
Suzuki long favoured Rins and was eyeing the rookie racer for a some time now; more so, since it fit the profile of a young rider alongside an experienced one would fast track the development process. With Maverick Vinales moving to Movistar Yamaha, it was touted that RIns would be the obvious choice as his replacement. But Suzuki went ahead and announced Iannone as the replacement immediately after Ducati's decision to retain Andrea Dovizioso; much to everyone's surprise.
It is believed that Suzuki Japan was hesitant is signing two brand new riders as well for the 2017 season with both Rins and Iannone being new on the team. The team was initially thinking of retaining Espargaro. However, Suzuki team manager Davide Brivio, convinced the management to think otherwise.
As for Aleix Espargaro, it is most likely that the Spanish rider will end up on the only other factory bike left on the grid. If reports are to be believed, Espargaro will announce that he will be joining Sam Lowes on the Gresini Aprilia RS-GP for the 2017 season. An announcement at Assen would be interesting. As or Sam Lowes, the rider will get his first encounter with the Aprilia MotoGP bike in Assen in a test. Although the bike is the last year's version, it will be equipped with Michelin tyres and carbon brakes. The move is to give the rider a feel of the MotoGP bike.
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