Source: Supplied.

Team Suzuki Ecstar has confirmed Frenchman Sylvain Guintoli will ride in place of Alex Rins at the Le Mans round of MotoGP and additional upcoming races.

Rins is recovering from injuries sustained at Circuit of the Americas and, while Suzuki has test rider Takuya Tsuda on the GSX-RR at Jerez, Guintoli will takeover in France.

“First, I would like to thank Suzuki for giving me this fantastic opportunity,” Guintoli said. “Being able to ride the GSX-RR, currently one of the fastest racing machine in the world is a very exciting prospect, let alone at my home race in front of the French fans.

“The Le Mans grand prix brings back a lot of strong memories, the best one of course was leading the MotoGP race for a few laps in 2007. This is going to be a very difficult challenge, adapting to the very powerful prototype MotoGP machine and the Michelin tyres.

“But my main goal is to enjoy the experience and give 100 percent commitment. The test on Tuesday will give us some time to adapt and to start understanding this amazing motorcycle. Finally, I want to wish a very good recovery to Alex.”

The choice of Guintoli to substitute the injured Rins is a sort of natural choice for the team, as not only he has been Superbike world champion in 2014, but he also already has experience in MotoGP and currently rides for Bennetts Suzuki in the British Superbike Championship.