Yamaha factory rider Alex Rins experienced a day that was as intense as it was decisive during MotoGP testing in Valencia. And one thing is clear: the V4 changes everything.
While Yamaha Finally burying its inline four-cylinder engine — a historical pillar since the arrival of four-stroke MotoGP — the first V4 prototype continues its accelerated development towards 2026. After a test run at Misano in September, the riders had another opportunity in Valencia to develop this strategic machine.
19th at 1,347 seconds, Kidneys seemed far from the mark. But the timesheet reveals nothing of his true program, as stated by the Spaniard: I think I was the only one not using soft tires. " he says, almost amused.
No soft run, no time-attack: Kidneys He rode at full race pace. Few laps, tricky conditions, but each lap reinforced his work on fine-tuning the car. While the others were trying to shine, Kidneys was building the future.
But one piece of information stirred up the paddock: the lap time of Toprak Razgatlioglu, only in his second MotoGP test.
Et Kidneys did not ignore it: I saw his lap time… impressive. They told me he used two soft tires. But first, these chronometers need to be signed.I was really surprised. »
The subliminal message: Soil He focused on performance, I focused on development. But the admiration remains real: the Spaniard acknowledges that the Turk is off to a strong start.
HUGE lock-up from @Rins42 🤯
That was a close one 😮💨#ValenciaTest ️ pic.twitter.com/29GHK8Vc5j
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) November 18, 2025
Alex Rins: “ At the moment, we don't have the necessary grip »
There where Kidneys He never felt completely at home with the M1, but the V4 finally seems to speak his language. Overall, I had a good experience. The bike is better than at MisanoThis is a very good starting point. »
The key point? Braking, the historical Achilles' heel of the old Yamaha. The inline-four only braked on the front wheels. The V4, on the other hand, brakes on both wheels, drifting slightly—exactly what it loves. Kidneys.
« As soon as you brake, the motorcycle slides a little. And that's very handy."That's no mistaking it:" Kidneys is much more “in his element”.
But all is not settled: grip remains the weak point. Still in the experimental phase, the prototype lacks top speed (normal at this stage), and adhesion on exit, which complicates getting back on the angle.
« Righting the motorcycle is easier than with inline tires, because it moves less. But for now, we don't have the necessary grip. "He says.
According to KidneysThe solution lies partly in the electronics and partly in the chassis configuration.
And the tests continued on Wednesday, with a clear plan: to gain grip, confidence and mileage.
MotoGPValencia Test: times
