Ecstar Suzuki’s Alex Rins will make his MotoGP debut at Catalunya this weekend after missing his🐼 home event through injury last year.

Suzuki will return to action for the first time since confirmation Joan Mir will🐲 replace Andrea Iannone in the team, who has signed for Aprilia, taking over from Scott Red🌟ding.

Rins๊ finished fifth on the GSX-RR behind Iannone at Mugello in Italy and his strong result, combined 🅘with the benefit of a test at Catalunya a few weeks ago, has given the young Spaniard a lift going into this weekend’s race.

“I’m excited to race in Montmelò for the GP of Catalunya because it’s 👍my home GP,” he said.

“The atmosphere here is always very special, it’s not only the circuit which is very exciting but also the whole weekend, with a lot of people supporting us all - and me i🀅n particular.

“We arrive in good shape; the race in Mugello was a positive one and also the test we did here some weeks ago gave us importan🐼t direction, hope, and positivity.”

Suzuki development rider Sylvain Guintoli will also 🤪return this weekend as a wildcard after ꧅competing in the Catalunya test.

Guintoli said: “Working with Teamꦿ Suzuki Ecstar is amazing. I remember the fir🐎st time I rode the Suzuki GSX-RR, there was incredible speed and a fantastic feeling - I still get this feeling every time, and it has been getting better and better.

“Together we have done a great job during this past year, and the bike has made good progress. I﷽t is an honour and a pleasure to be racing the Suzuki GSX-RR in Barcelona this weekꦇend as a wildcard.”