Y'all may have already heard, but I hadn't until just now. So Team Grillini has switched to the new GSX-R1000 for the 2018 season (previously ran Kawasaki)! I'm excited that there will at least be two GSXR's on the grid now, tho we'll probably never see them, as the camera will be pointed at Rea and Davies 99% of the time. Still, I'm happy to have a new team to cheer for.
That said, the riders they've drafted are relative unknowns (at least to me). Christian Gamarino is running the first five races as a sub for full-time rookie rider Gabriele Ruiu, because Ruiu won't even turn 18 until then! Ruiu's had some seat time in the Italian Championship in Stock and SBK 1000 classes, so hopefully he's gonna be ready.
His teammate, Roberto Rolfo, has been around for a while. Even ran MotoGP and had 9 points scoring finishes in 2005 (satellite Ducati). Been in MGP, WSBK, SSP, 250cc, etc since 1996, so he's no noob. He's 37, so a direct contrast age-wise to the not-yet-18 Ruiu.
Anyway, nice to have Suzuki back on the grid. Just hope these guys can get them in the frame occasionally!
That said, the riders they've drafted are relative unknowns (at least to me). Christian Gamarino is running the first five races as a sub for full-time rookie rider Gabriele Ruiu, because Ruiu won't even turn 18 until then! Ruiu's had some seat time in the Italian Championship in Stock and SBK 1000 classes, so hopefully he's gonna be ready.
His teammate, Roberto Rolfo, has been around for a while. Even ran MotoGP and had 9 points scoring finishes in 2005 (satellite Ducati). Been in MGP, WSBK, SSP, 250cc, etc since 1996, so he's no noob. He's 37, so a direct contrast age-wise to the not-yet-18 Ruiu.
Anyway, nice to have Suzuki back on the grid. Just hope these guys can get them in the frame occasionally!