Pursuing a new sport and choosing who to stick with is one of the most important decisions people make in their adult lives – if they don’t have children, after all. 2020 was the year I got really interested in watching MotoGP, and I made an alliance with the Suzuki club for the same reason any new fan picks a team: I like their colors and they not attractive.
Fast-forward to now two years later, where I’m walking the Circuit of the Americas during the MotoGP weekend, finding my favorite line of sight, watching the lawn and doing my best to stay hydrated. By the way, I also think I could pick up a cap or maybe a t-shirt to cheer on my favorite team – a team whose rider won the 2020 championship, and it does not exist.
I can blindfold myself and step into the VR46 stand – and that says a lot because COTA is huge. Now, of course I love Valentino like so many of us. His personality is contagious and I’m so sad when he retires. But you don’t even work here anymore. Elsewhere, Honda and Ducati unsurprisingly have a large presence. Yamaha, KTM and Aprilia are less so, though those tents do exist if you know where to look.
However, Suzuki’s skins are nowhere to be found, and god help if you’ve already shone on one of the indie teams like Gresini or the LCR. I don’t usually plead with brands to make them realize all the money they leave on the table, but I feel obliged here, for myself and the MotoGP goons, who want to bring color. their favorite. Don’t let you think I’m the only one whining about this, I promise that other less commodity Suzuki supporters and COTA attendees are similarly confused.
Strangely there is a big Suzuki tent in the yard, from 5 to 13 years old. I discovered this from the famous COTA observatory, which I nicknamed “the space penis” during the weekend. Like seeing a mirage under the Texas sun, I thought my prayer was answered. But when I got to the tent, there were only motorbikes to showcase and a single hat with the Hayabusa logo on it might not even be for sale. Nothing represents the team, no Joan Mir and Alex Rins names on it.
It got worse! Search for Suzuki team merchandise now – go ahead. I will wait. Let me know what you find. Not much, right? Official Suzuki Store stocked with the GSX-RR logo, a subtle nod to MotoGP bikes. But nothing outside acknowledges the MotoGP team or their riders save for a tee with an illustration of Mir on the back. All of that also seems to be two years old, which is lame but at least makes it cheap, if nothing else.
“What about the MotoGP store?” you may be thinking. Great idea! Retry.
It’s very strange to me. At Suzuki is a squad that currently looks solid, with one title most recently. You’d think there would be countless people begging it for money for the privilege of making a walking billboard, and you’d think Suzuki would be happy to catch them. However, here we are. Just please gather it together, blue team. Until you do, I guess I’ll drown in Rossi merchandise.
