MotoGP, Argentina, J3, Álex Rins (Suzuki): Very good comeback from sixteenth to fifth place

After his fourth place obtained in Qatar during the first Grand Prix of the year, only 0.4 behind the winner Andrea Dovizioso, Álex Rins arrived with excellent morale in Argentina. His confidence was increased by his first MotoGP podium which rewarded him here on the Termas de Tio Hondo circuit last year.

The first day went quite well for Álex, with the seventh time in 1'39.497, 0.084 behind Valentino Rossi and 0.046 ahead Marc Márquez. The rest became significantly more complicated and he finished in fifteenth position in the combined three free practice sessions in 1'39.451 because 4 of the 22 drivers entered were unable to improve on Saturday morning, including Álex.

His journey then began by being forced to go through Q1, where he only ranked ninth in 1'39.605, 0.541 behind leader Takaaki Nakagami. Rins therefore did not have access to Q2 and was positioned sixteenth on the starting grid.

Álex was relatively stunned by his poor performance and declared after these difficult qualifications: “It's difficult for me to say anything because it's neither my fault nor that of the team. We gave 100% but of course for us it's not the best result in qualifying. At first it was pretty good, with fast times and a lot of laps on the same tires. But we will have to improve for the race, depending on whether it is dry or wet. It looks like it’s going to rain a lot.”

“We will have to be careful and get off to a good start. Then overtake as many drivers as possible. I'll try to get through a lot of them. Every Sunday I feel stronger with the brakes. I feel better with all the pieces so I will try to give 100% to be in front.”

The Suzuki team, which also suffered the unexpected blow, published this illustration on Saturday evening on social networks:

The situation developed favorably for Rins during the warmup on Sunday, when he was credited with the fourth time in 1'39.488, 0.392 behind leader Marc Marquez.

At the start, the fastest to start was Marc Márquez in front Andrea Dovizioso, Jack Miller and Valentino Rossi. At the end of the second lap, Álex Rins was in twelfth position. Marquez opened up a gap of almost three seconds ahead of Dovizioso, Miller Rossi and Morbidelli. Márquez continued to break away while Crutchlow had to ride through for an early start.

While Marc Márquez was six seconds ahead of Andrea Dovizioso and Valentino Rossi, Alex Rins was in ninth position, 9 seconds behind the leader.

Márquez completely dominated, while Rossi resisted Dovizioso, Morbidelli, Petrucci, Miller, Viñales and Nakagami, who Rins was gradually closing in on.

Video: Rins passing Nakagami:

Álex Rins eighth joined the group of seven drivers fighting for second position. He overtook Viñales and moved up to seventh, getting closer to the podium. Rins continued his comeback and took fifth position after overtaking Morbidelli and Miller.

With 5 laps remaining, Márquez had a lead of more than 12 seconds over Dovizioso, Rossi, Petrucci, Rins, Miller, Morbidelli and Vinales. Miller attacked Rins and overtook him, but the Spaniard regained fourth place, before the Australian overtook him again. Morbidelli and Viñales fell without seriousness on the last lap. Márquez won ahead of Rossi, Dovizioso, Miller and Rins.

For Rins, “ The race was incredible, I didn't make any mistakes, which was extraordinary given how difficult and slippery the track was. I really need to improve my grid positions in the next races. So I'm aiming for better qualifying sessions because my starting position really cost me today. But I’m happy to bring home a Top 5 for myself and the team.”

Grand Prix results:

Provisional ranking of the World Championship:

Video: What happened to Alex Rins in qualifying?

Video: Suzuki Ecstar OnBoard: VisitQatar Grand Prix 2019

Photos © Suzuki Racing