MotoGP, Rins optimistic for the future: “I don’t know when, but we’ll get there”

Despite his 15th place on the last day of the Sepang test, just over a second behind the leader, Pecco Bagnaia, Alex Rins was quite satisfied with his second experience with the M1.

“I didn't work much on the set-up because we had some problems with braking every day. We don’t have much grip with the rear tire, and this leads to pulling a lot with the front. We fixed some things as we looked for the right direction to take and, in the end, we managed to mount the tire to do a sprint simulation,” he explained.

“In general, it wasn’t bad. I completed many laps and tried several new parts, but I still can’t ride with peace of mind,” he acknowledged. “The team is doing a great job. We focused on the fairing and swingarm. The frame, on the other hand, we didn’t test, because Crutchlow did some experiments. Instead, I tried the rear lowering device, and other solutions, and noticed some changes. I also talked about it with Quartarato, and he’s also convinced that the bike is going faster than the 2023.”

Now that Malaysia has been filed away, it’s time to think about Qatar: “We’ll have to improve in braking there, even if we’re still able to stop later, besides the grip on the rear. I don’t know if it’s because of my riding style, but it seems low. We’ll also seek a compromise when it comes to rearing up.”

The feeling he has with his work group also lifted Rins’ spirits, especially with the technicians: “It’s the first time I’ve worked with an Australian, and I feel really good. The relationship with the Japanese electronics engineers is also excellent. We’re very tight.”

Almost entirely excluding the possibility of seeing him involved in private tests during the first part of the season, the 28-year-old expressed his goals: “The mentality is that of every rider. I  race to win, even if we’re in a phase of development and improvement for the bike. The team knows what to do, and we’re heading in the right direction. I don’t know when, but we’ll get there.”

Lastly, he spoke about his leg. “It only hurt me on the first day of official tests, but that was it,” he said relieved.