They have not been idle during this 2023 season. During the winter, “Parlons MotoGP” will look at each of the participants in this exercise, and take stock; today, it’s Alex Rins’ turn. Did he succeed? Did he fail? Could we expect more? It’s time for analysis. Of course, you are invited to give your opinion in comments, because it matters a lot. Yesterday, we returned to Raúl Fernández, in an article that you can find by clicking here.
From nowhere
We haven't seen much of Álex Rins in 2023, notably due to a serious injury – and its complications – from the Sprint in Italy. First, it confirms the fact that he is prone to absences, and that at the time of writing, he still only has two full seasons in MotoGP, the two first. In total, only seven Grands Prix, on a new machine, what's more, the worst on the grid. You will understand that its results are not very representative.
And yet, he has a victory. In Texas, while still in good shape, he distinguished himself greatly during the Sprint, finishing in second position behind Pecco Bagnaia, then triumphed on Sunday after the error of the same Italian, who had just taken the lead. Honestly, it's inexplicable. Even Lucio Cecchinello was incredulous. With Aleix Espargaro's two successes, these are the only three races where victory eluded Ducati in 20 Grands Prix. Then, two retirements followed after the feat.
Obviously, the Honda RC213V suited him rather well, if not pleasing him as we will see in the next point. He has finished four Sunday races in 2023, all in the top 10, in addition to three blank results. When we compare to the officials and even to the great Marc Marquez, it's just impressive. But in fact, there is no more to say because we simply haven't seen enough.
Exactly, this is the lowest ranked MotoGP winner over a season since Troy Bayliss and his victorious wild card in 2006 ! Both were 19th, Álex Rins with 54 units in his bag.
An interesting lesson
For me, the main thing to remember is not there. Anyone who has followed motorcycle sport since the beginning of the 2010s knows that Rins is a great rider, capable of feats that he himself would have difficulty explaining. Many of his successes come from nowhere, it's true, but he nonetheless remains an excellent driver, who enjoys one of the best race IQs on the grid.
Beyond the surprise victory, no one dwelled on their choice. How is it that a rider who wins after only three rounds on a bike deemed indomitable tries to leave the team as soon as he has the chance? He managed to get the RCV to work, but still decided to abandon Honda to find… Yamaha, which isn't much better off from a hardware standpoint.
You might tell me that he was looking for a factory handlebar. But don't you think that his only victory, the first for an unofficial Honda since Cal Crutchlow in 2018, assured him a place of choice at Honda Repsol, in place of Joan Mir whose lack of performance was predictable, on the one hand, and already verified, on the other? As a reminder, we did not yet know that Marquez was going to leave.
For me, that says a lot. On Honda's cruel lack of ambition, but also and above all, on the structural defects of the winged brand. It's not just about the bike. In fact, this is also what he said: “I would have liked more support from HRC. They let the factory team test so I think I'm competitive, the bike isn't that bad.” In my opinion, this is precisely what should have alerted Johann zarco and Luca Marini. Click here to learn more. I'm quite curious to see no one raise this argument, which was clearly a signal not to join the Japanese company, no matter the price.
What did you think of Álex Rins this season? Tell me in the comments!
Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport