Alex Rins: “I really like the new Suzuki engine”

For his first season in MotoGP, rookie Alex Rins has not had an easy time, with several injuries and a machine less competitive than expected. But despite having to withdraw from five Grands Prix, Alex nevertheless finished sixteenth in the World Championship, ahead of Pol Espargaro. At the end of the season, he placed fifth in Japan and fourth in Valencia.

Immediately after this Grand Prix, he skipped the first day of testing due to a gastric problem, then achieved the fifteenth time the next day. In Jerez, now in good shape, he left his motorbike Sylvain Guintoli the first day, then placed sixth the next day, 0.6 behind the new track record ofAndrea Dovizioso. He set his personal best time on the third day in 1'38.307, the sixth final performance of the Jerez tests.

“I am very satisfied with this latest test, Rins estimated. The second day I mainly focused on working with the new engine. This was not yet the final version of the 2018 engine, but a stage of development. At first it was difficult to be consistent. »

“But in the end I managed to be fast and above all consistent with worn tires. It made me very happy because these two days were really productive. We tested several chassis and the engine. So we collected very important information for the factory in Japan. »

“We tested the new chassis separately from the new engine. I really like the new engine. For Sepang we will have a combination of both. We have already tested the chassis in Valencia with the engine. The engine has more power. But no more than that. However, I'm happy with the extra power. Now I feel very good on the bike and am having fun. »

“I have progressed a lot over the past year. It’s a huge difference because I have a lot more experience now. The bike and the team give me 100% confidence, it's very important to be fast. »

“Life changes as a MotoGP rider. MotoGP is different: more people and more pressure in the pit and by the Japanese, but that doesn't bother me. »

Combined results from the Jerez tests:

1. Andrea Dovizioso (I), Ducati, 1'37.663
2. Cal Crutchlow (GB), Honda, +0.155
3. Jorge Lorenzo (E), Ducati, +0.258
4. Andrea Iannone (I), Suzuki, + 0.367
5. Pol Espargaró (E), KTM, +0.567
6. Alex Rins (E), Suzuki, +0.644
7. Tito Rabat (E), Ducati, +0.725
8. Danilo Petrucci (I), Ducati, +0.944
9 Bradley Smith (GB), KTM, +1.058
10. Scott Redding (GB), Aprilia, +1.115
11. Jack Miller (AUS), Ducati, +1.213
12. Franco Morbidelli (I), Honda, 1.260
13. Takaaki Nakagami (J), Honda, +1.329
14. Eugene Laverty (NIR), Aprilia, +1.823
15. Alex Marquez (E), Honda, +2.119
16. Xavier Simeon (B), Ducati, +2,669
17. Takumi Takahashi (J), Honda, 3,459