EG 0,0 Marc VDS with Suzuki machinery from 2019?

Everything was pointing to Yamaha – but Speedweek is reporting that’s since changed

EG 0,0 Marc VDS have been racing Honda machinery since the Belgian team decided to make the move to the premier class. But now, that contract is coming to an end and the first Independent Team to win a race since Estoril 2006 have some decisions to make. Speedweek is reporting that, contrary to earlier rumour that it was a ‘done deal’ for the outfit to run Yamahas from 2019, it will in fact be Suzuki machinery wearing EG 0,0 Marc VDS colours next season.

The article says it will be a three-year contract between VDS and the Hamamatsu factory, and that the bikes they run next season will be three 2019 spec GSX-RRs.

That would be a similar agreement to that which persuaded Tech 3 to leave Yamaha at the end of the season. Offered two machines of identical spec to the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing machines that will be lining up next year, the French team made the switch after a relationship with Yamaha spanning two decades.

It’s a growing theme throughout the paddock, with Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol) on a 2018 RC213V and Danilo Petrucci (Alma Pramac Racing) on a Ducati GP18 two of the highest profile examples of the Independent Team, current spec motorcycle setup.

In 2019, will EG 0,0 Marc VDS riders be joining those ranks…on Suzukis?