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Swiss manufacturer Suter has announced it is withdrawing from MotoGP’s Moto2 category with immediate effect.
Suter has been a mainstay of grand prix motorcycling’s middle category since Moto2 replaced the 250cc class in 2010, supplying Marc Marquez during his title-winning season in 2012.
However, it has fallen out of favour in recent seasons, as rival brand Kalex gradually established itself as the category’s dominant force.
Just two teams, Intact GP and Kiefer Racing, fielded Suter machinery this season, with the Swiss firm’s last victory in the class coming back in 2014, courtesy of Thomas Luthi – although Dominique Aegerter won on the road in Misano this year before being disqualified.
However, Kiefer chose to switch to KTM bikes for 2018, leaving Intact GP as Suter’s sole customer and Xavi Vierge and Marcel Schrotter as its only riders.
A statement issued by Suter on Friday said that it could not justify competing in Moto2 with only two bikes on the grid.
Company founder and sometime 250cc racer Eskil Suter said: “From a strategical point of view, this does not justify any further our participation in the Moto2 world championship.”
Suter’s exit leaves a total of five different chassis represented on the 2018 grid: Kalex, KTM, Tech3, Speed Up and newcomer NTS.
Intact GP has announced it will revert to Kalex machinery next season.