Former World Superbike champion Sylvain Guintoli served as Suzuki's official MotoGP test and wild-card rider until the factory withdraw at the 🃏end of the 22 season.

The British-based Frenchman spent five seasons in 250cc as a privateer, claimin🐬g one podium and a best of ninth in the world championship, before getting a Tech3 Yamaha MotoGP 🌱ride on a Dunlop-shod M1 for 2007.

The Dunlop tyres were well behind Michelin a😼nd Bridgestone but Guintoli showed flashes of brilliant form inꦗ wet conditions, including a fourth place at Motegi.

That led to a seat with the d'Antin Ducati (now Pramac) team for 2008, when he finished 💙every single race in the points but was no hugher than sixth and 13th overall.

A lack of offers for 2009 saw Guintoli switch to the British🅺 Superbike championship, with Cresent Suzuki, but his title hopes were ended by a broken tibia and fibia.

Guintoli moved to the World Superbike championship in 2010, where he remained for the next seven seasons, culminating in title glory 🐓with Aprilia in 2014.

Joining Suzuki as its MotoGP test rid💞er from 2017, Guintoli made ten rꦦace starts on the GSX-RR, his development work contributing to Joan Mir's historic 2020 title success.

But the chance for Guintoli to make some final GSX-RR race appearances, following ankle damage ꦿfor Joan Mir, 🐓were dashed by injuries of his own at the Suzuka 8 Hours.