Alex Rins grits his teeth and holds his position despite a shoulder that makes him suffer like a martyr. An injury which, incidentally, could turn into a tragedy at any time if, unfortunately, he suffered another shock in the same place after a fall. But the Suzuki official also knows that in this season, anything is possible. It is not the Brno verdict that will dissuade him from the opposite with an unprecedented podium and an incredible winner on an improbable machine. So he will continue like this. Given his condition, this fourth place is another achievement to his credit…
Another achievement indeed, as the first was finishing in the top 10 at Jerez 2 when he was even worse. Moreover, between the two performances, alex rins make no mistake: “ I give much more value to the tenth place taken in Jerez. From the first race in Jerez to the second I had a very bad week, with a lot of pain and with a lot of effort trying to run with little pain. These were extreme conditions, very hot and humid. As good as fourth place is and even if we had finished third today, I would give more value to tenth place in Jerez ».
Because in fact, he was not far from the podium… “ A half turn or another turn, and I would have overtaken Johann Zarco. It was a good race. I am happy with the result. I was sitting in the camper van after the race and I thought: if I had gotten on the podium in those circumstances, it would have been incredible. Fourth place suits me ". Yes Marc Marquez is forfeited, just like bagnaia, alex rins is like Cal Crutchlow, a convict who defies pain and accepts torture: “ the pain I had in Jerez was much worse than the pain I had in this race. I went through a few laps with a lot of pain, an overload on my arm, but in the last three laps I was so focused on Zarco that I didn't feel much pain ».
« Little by little we move forward, we feel less pain and of course we will arrive » assures the one who, to preserve himself, had almost skipped the warm-up: “ Friday, the shoulder was fine. I had to do a lot of things on Saturday, in FP3 and in Q1. Sunday morning I only did two laps to get a feel for the bike. Even then I felt a lot more pain. I went to the race doctors and asked for painkillers. It got better, but by the end of the race I definitely felt the pain again ».
However, there is no question of alex rins to let go of the matter. Because this season is unique: “ this year can be a good opportunity. It is rare to see all these drivers in front whereas previously only Márquez, Lorenzo, Rossi and Pedrosa were leaders, so we must take advantage of it. We must go to war and show ».
“It wasn't the same Fabio as in Jerez”
On whether he would fight for the title without the injury Jerez he comments: “I don't know, but it makes me think. I can assure you 100% that I'm not there yet and I finished fourth in this race. I suffered a lot to finish tenth in Jerez. I couldn't show all my potential and everything I worked on this confinement at home, because on the second day I was injured ».
On the race of Brno, he analyses : " this race was unprecedented, we saw a lot of new names up front like Binder, Zarco, Morbidelli… Quartararo? I don't think it's pressure. This race was difficult due to tire choice and wear. I think Fabio struggled a bit throughout the weekend to have a good pace. Yes, I often finished first or second with a new tire, but I was able to study the time sheets and it was not the same Fabio with a higher pace than everyone, like in Jerez. I wouldn't say so much it was the pressure, but more the tire management ».
He ends on his own case: “When I'm trying to catch up, I usually pass a driver in two or three corners. I lost more time in this race. I was behind Aleix Espargaró and Fabio Quartararo. First I had to see where I could go ". Because the risk is high. If Kidneys fell on his injured shoulder, the championship would probably be over for him. “ I'm going to have to struggle with my shoulder for a few more races. If I'm lucky and don't have a serious accident, I'll wait and see how things go. I hope the pain will decrease week by week ».
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From next weekend, he will put it back on the Red Bull Ring. Then again the following weekend in the same place…
MotoGP Brno J3: standings
