MotoGP: Suzuki keen to keep Guintoli as test rider

Suzuki MotoGP boss Davide Brivio has said he’d like to continue working with 2014 World Superbike Champion Sylvain Guintoli in 2018 regardless of who he’s racing with.

After a tough year in MCE British Superbikes with Suzuki, it’s not expected the Frenchman will remain with the Bennetts-backed squad next season and although it’s understood he hasn’t ruled out another crack at BSB, smart money is on a move back to World Championships with Puccetti Kawasaki.

One possible barrier to that could be that after impressing while deputising for the injured Alex Rins in Suzuki’s MotoGP effort, the Japanese marque is keen to keep him on board as a test rider.

However, speaking to MCN in Aragon, Suzuki boss Davide Brivio said he’d be keen to do something with Guintoli next year wherever and whoever he ends up riding for, even if it’s with a different manufacturer in a non-factory team.  

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“We are happy to work with Sylvain,” Brivio explained. “He has a lot of experience. We would be happy to continue working with him next year. I know he wants to race, we are talking to him and will be happy to continue to have him as a test rider. I hope his racing situation for 2018 will not clash with what we do, but we’d be happy to continue the cooperation and are trying to make it happen.  

“I don’t know what his plans are, but for me personally it is not an issue where he rides. I need to get consensus from the rest of the company but for me it would not be an issue and I hope we can do something together.”

Some sources claim Guintoli could be confirmed with the Puccetti WSB team as soon as the next round of World Superbikes in Magny Cours next weekend. 

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