MotoGP Qatar J3, Alex Rins (Yamaha/16): “the race was a real challenge for us”

Alex Rins crossed the finish line of the Qatar Grand Prix, first round of MotoGP 2024, in 16th place. Having started behind, the Yamaha official managed to gradually move up, gaining positions until he climbed into 11th place, closely followed by Joan Mir and his teammate Fabio Quartararo. However, in the final laps, a significant degradation in performance on the right side of his front tire seriously compromised his ability to maintain his pace. Despite these obstacles, Rins chose to retain the positive lessons of this experience, looking to the future with optimism.

alex rins will not have managed to score a single point for his debut with Yamaha in MotoGP. His start to the season with the M1 thus proved modest to say the least, with the backdrop of doubt hovering over his physical form. Many in the paddock were indeed worried to see him walking with difficulty. A situation which would betray a leg poorly recovered from its fractures contracted since the 2023 Italian Grand Prix.

Of his state of health, alex rins doesn't talk about it when taking stock of his getaway to Losail. The winner in the category with Suzuki et Honda prefers to concentrate on his machine, it’s true, still not frisky enough…

**Alex Rins: “ this event allowed us to detect encouraging aspects for future races »**

« The race was a real challenge for us » he comments. “ We gave the best of ourselves, gradually coming back from behind. Step by step, I felt more and more comfortable, until I positioned myself just behind Joan Mir and Fabio Quartararo ».

An honorable journey which then encountered the well-known obstacle at Losail of tire wear: “ however, with six rounds remaining, the performance of the right side of my front tire decreased drastically, and I lost a lot of time. In the right-hand curves, it was difficult for me to keep a precise trajectory ».

Then he concludes: “ Despite everything, this event allowed us to see some encouraging aspects for the races to come, and I can't wait to see what we can accomplish at the next Grand Prix. ". Who will be the one of Portugal in Portimao March 22 to 24.