On Sunday June 27, 2021, Alex Rins answered questions from journalists from the Assen circuit, following the Dutch Grand Prix.
We went to listen (via teleconferencing software) to the words of the Spanish driver, who finished the race in 11th position, after being somewhat heckled by Johann Zarco.
As usual, we report here the words of Alex Rins without the slightest formatting.
Álex, you had a good start in the race then you fell in the rankings. Can you tell us more, especially what happened with Johann Zarco?
"With Mister Johann! I think everyone saw what happened. If I hadn't been there, he might have gone off course. I wasn't expecting this overtake, and the problem was that I found myself with his wing under my arm, and the only thing possible for me was to raise the bike to avoid him. So I went into the gravel, found myself in last position and lost time. »
" I have really unlucky because the pace was good, although not enough to win. However, I think that the top 3 or top 4 was possible. He destroyed our race, and since he arrived in MotoGP in 2017 he has been very aggressive in overtaking. It was a stupid move because he's fighting for the championship, so imagine if we had both crashed. That does not make sense. »
« Un top 3 or a top 4 was possible »
You talk about aggressive maneuvering from Zarco, but don't you think that's the norm in MotoGP?
" Yes you ask other pilots, you will definitely find some who will also complain about me. But during this race I made numerous overtakes to move up from last to 11th place, and I don't think anyone can complain about my maneuvers... That's all I have to say. »
How do you evaluate your first half of the season?
" It is difficult, because during this first part of the championship we showed good speed and good rhythm, but it was also difficult for me to finish the races. Honestly since the Sachsenring where we returned to last year's settings I have good feelings again. »
« From returning to last year's settings I have good sensations again »
If we put aside the prank with Zarco, you had a solid rhythm. How did this feel to your arm? Was it more difficult than you expected?
" It is It's difficult to be happy today, because as you said we had the pace, but once again we didn't finish in the position we were aiming for. We did our job, for example when I was in my comeback and I was multiplying the overtakes. Theoretically, when you overtake you lose time, but the times were still satisfactory, still within the 1'33 window. On the arm it went well. I had some difficulties during the last three laps, when I was in front of Binder. I know he's very good at braking, so I tried to manage so as not to lose my position, and in the end I managed to preserve it, so it's okay. »
You fell a lot in this first part of the season. Aren't you asking too much of your motorcycle? Do you tend to overdrive compared to previous seasons?
" Sincerely I have a very good team behind me. We work very hard every day, and as you said we are not getting the results we wanted in this first part of the season. But in this race I was really good, just like it has been since we went back in terms of settings. At the Sachsenring I was already in the mix, and I could have aimed for a sixth place if the weather hadn't played out. Today I was also in a good position, so I think we can honestly make a good second part of reason. »
« I can have a good second half of the season »
MotoGP Assen – Race standings
Classification credit: MotoGP.com
