Moto2: Suter to take a year out in 2018

Swiss chassis manufacturer Suter have announced that they will sit out the 2018 Moto2 season, as they concentrate on developing a new machine built especially for the Triumph 765cc engine that will replace the current Honda powerplant from 2019, after eight years of using the CBR600 engine.

Set to run with only the Dynavolt Intact team in 2018 after Kiefer Racing announced that they would switch to the KTM that dominated the second half of this year, they’ll now use Kalex machinery instead for next year.

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And while the decision comes as a surprise, boss Eskil Suter says that it’s not the right time for them to continue their involvement in the class as he continues to concentrate on his track day special MMX500 two-stroke machine, admitting that “from a strategic point of view, one team does not justify any further our participation in the Moto2 world championship.

However, it isn’t the first time that Suter have made a similar decision, sitting out the 2015 season to concentrate instead on building a new machine for the following year. And while they might not be building a new bike for this season, the CBR600-engined frame will no doubt be in demand for the new GP2 class announced last week by MCE British Superbike bosses.

Suter also looks set to continue their development of a new bike for the Triumph triple engine set to debut in 2019, with BSB race winner Jake Dixon a key part of the firm’s development work next season.

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