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# Suzuki makes left-field choice to replace injured Mir
- URL: https://www.the-race.com/motogp/suzuki-makes-left-field-choice-to-replace-injured-mir/
- Published: 2022-08-26T16:32:14.000Z
- Updated: 2023-09-16T13:58:30.000Z
- Description: Departing MotoGP manufacturer Suzuki has picked Kazuki Watanabe as its replacement for the injured Joan Mir
- Author: Valentin Khorounzhiy
- Tags: MotoGP, #image-center-center

Departing MotoGP manufacturer Suzuki has picked Kazuki Watanabe as its replacement for the injured Joan Mir.

The 31-year-old Japanese rider comes as a left-field choice to step in for the 2020 world champion, who injured his right ankle in an opening-lap airborne crash at the Red Bull Ring.

[![](https://storage.googleapis.com/the-race-com.appspot.com/1/2022/08/998490-300x200.jpg)](https://www.the-race.com/motogp/suzuki-could-help-motogp-out-with-a-creative-stand-in-choice/)

Suzuki could help MotoGP out with a creative stand-in choice

[Read more](https://www.the-race.com/motogp/suzuki-could-help-motogp-out-with-a-creative-stand-in-choice/)

Suzuki would’ve normally called up test rider Sylvain Guintoli, but the Frenchman himself is continuing to recover from an injury that ruled him out of the Suzuka 8 Hours.

And while it’s believed that Suzuki explored the possibility of drafting in local hero Danilo Petrucci – who left MotoGP at the end of 2021 and has been representing Ducati in MotoAmerica this year – it has now settled on Watanabe.

The Japanese rider is part of the Suzuki Endurance Racing Team – which will also cease its activities in the World Endurance Championship at the end of 2022 – and was on this year’s Suzuka 8 Hours podium in third place alongside Gregg Black, as part of a depleted crew that lost Guintoli to injury and former Avintia MotoGP rider Xavier Simeon to a COVID-19 absence.

Watanabe is also a regular for Suzuki in the Japanese Superbike championship.

![661816](https://storage.googleapis.com/the-race-com.appspot.com/1/2022/08/661816.jpg)

“We are very sorry that Joan won’t be able to race in Misano and we wish him a fast recovery!” said Suzuki team boss Livio Suppo.

“Meanwhile we’re pleased to welcome Kazuki Watanabe to our team, he has a lot of experience with Suzuki and he is putting together a strong season in the All-Japan \[Superbike\] series, he also got third at the Suzuka 8 Hours just a few weeks ago.

“The GSX-RR will be a very different challenge, but we will do our best for Watanabe-san in order for him to get the maximum out of this experience!”

Watanabe’s experience in the grand prix paddock spans a smattering of intermediate-class starts between 2008 and 2010, with a best finish of 14th on home soil at Motegi.