MotoGP Is Terrible At Merch And There’s Really No Excuse For It

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I hope you like Valentino Rossi.

I hope you like Valentino Rossi.
Image: Adam Ismail

Next a new activity and deciding on who to root for is one particular of the most vital choices a single can make in their adult lifetime — if they really don’t have kids, anyway. 2020 was the year I definitely got into viewing MotoGP, and I allied myself with the Suzuki club for the similar motive any new lover chooses a workforce: I preferred their colors and they didn’t suck.

Fast forward to now two several years later the place I’m walking all more than Circuit of the Americas for the duration of MotoGP weekend, acquiring my preferred sight strains, looking at the paddock and performing my most effective to continue to be hydrated. I also figure I’m in a superior place to decide up a cap or probably a t-shirt to assist my beloved crew — a group whose rider gained the 2020 title, by the way. And it does not exist.

I could blindfold myself and walk into a VR46 stand — and that’s saying a great deal for the reason that COTA is fucking huge. Now, of system I adore Valentino as so several of us do. The guy’s identity is infectious and I was sad when he retired. But he does not even perform here any more. Somewhere else, Honda and Ducati unsurprisingly have a big existence. Yamaha, KTM and Aprilia less so, even though those people tents exist if you know the place to search.

Image for article titled MotoGP Has A Merch Problem And I've Had Enough

Image: Adam Ismail

Nevertheless Suzuki apparel is nowhere to be found, and god assist you if you’ve taken a shine to a single of the impartial teams like Gresini or LCR. I really don’t generally plead with brand names to get them to understand all the income they’re leaving on the table, but I sense a responsibility to here, for myself and my fellow MotoGP converts who want to fly their favored colors. Lest you think I’m the only a person whining about this, I guarantee other merch-much less Suzuki supporters and COTA attendees have been likewise flummoxed.

Strangely there is a big Suzuki tent in the infield amongst turns 5 and 13. I spotted this from COTA’s famed observation deck, which I have internally nicknamed “space penis.” Like looking at a mirage less than the Texas sunlight, I imagined my prayers had been answered. But when I made it to the tent, there were being only bikes to demo and a single hat with the Hayabusa logo on it that could not have even been for sale. Absolutely nothing symbolizing the group, practically nothing with Joan Mir’s nor Alex Rins’ names on it.

Image for article titled MotoGP Has A Merch Problem And I've Had Enough

Graphic: Adam Ismail

It gets even worse! Lookup for Suzuki workforce merch proper now — go in advance. I’ll wait around. Tell me what you obtain. Not considerably, ideal? Suzuki’s formal merch shop has merchandise with the GSX-RR logo, a refined nod to the MotoGP bike. But none of what’s there outwardly acknowledges the MotoGP workforce or its riders help save for a person tee with a Mir illustration on the back. All of it also seems to be two many years outdated, which is lame but at the very least would make it low-cost, if nothing at all else.

“What about the MotoGP keep?” you may well be contemplating. Excellent strategy! Consider all over again.

It’s so odd to me. In Suzuki is a squad that is currently on the lookout good, with a the latest title underneath its belt. You’d think that there would be hundreds of people begging to give it money for the privilege of being walking billboards, and you’d assume Suzuki would be all far too delighted to oblige them. And still, right here we are. Just make sure you get it together, blue team. Right up until you do, I guess I’ll drown in Rossi merch.

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