Suzuki drop Dunlop

Kenny Roberts will hope the new tyres pay dividends

The Suzuki works MotoGP team have decided to switch tyres three races into the new season.

They have decided to drop Dunlop and revert to former supplier Michelin.

The team said that former world champion Kenny Roberts and Spain's Sete Gibernau would revert to the French tyres from next weekend's Spanish Grand Prix.

A statement on Wednesday said Suzuki, who had used Michelin for more than a decade prior to the start of the season, and Dunlop would continue together in the World Superbike championship.

"Our focus has changed," said team manager Garry Taylor.

"The MotoGP team has different priorities from before, and they no longer include tyre development."

Suzuki took a second place in the opening race of the season with Japan's Akira Ryo on their new four-stroke bike.

But neither Roberts nor Gibernau have scored a point yet.