The MotoGP tests in Sepang have come to an end, and Yamaha factory rider Alex Rins leaves Malaysia with the feeling of having tamed, little by little, the capricious beast that is the M1. Physically sharper than last year, he transformed these five intense days into a sort of private ballet, where every step counted. With a time of 1'57.351, he smashed his time from the previous year, gaining half a second.
alex rins however finished the Sepang trials with mixed feelings. Although he encountered some difficulties at the beginning of the tests, the Spanish rider finally managed to find a good rhythm and finished in the top 10.
Kidneys stressed the importance of technical developments in Yamaha : " We focused on testing new parts that Yamaha brought us. We worked a lot on the setup. » After a difficult last Grand Prix in Barcelona, the Spanish driver left Sepang with a solid foundation for the next test in Thailand. However, not everything was easy during the tests.
The first days of testing were marked by grip problems. On my first lap, on the third day of testing, I failed to develop any sensations. Even with new tires I had problems" , has explained Kidneys, who had to wait until the lunch break to regain the confidence needed to complete a fast lap.
Alex Rins: “ Physically, I am in pretty good shape. »
The testing process was also influenced by the lack of action on the track. It was like a private test", he admitted. Apart from one occasion when he followed his teammate, he has not had the opportunity to test his M1 in a race situation with other drivers. This lack of benchmarks could influence his performance on longer circuits, such as those in Thailand.
Despite a difficult start, Kidneys was able to improve his times, especially on the last day. We found something that made us better, so I am happy of all the time we spent in Malaysia. » The work of Yamaha seems to be bearing fruit, even if improvements are still necessary, particularly concerning top speed.
On a physical level, Kidneys said he was not completely 100% after a few days without riding. My hands hurt, but physically I'm in pretty good shape.", he added. This test in Malaysia is a highlight before the Thai challenge, where Kidneys hopes that the progress made will bear fruit for the rest of the 2025 season.
In short, Kidneys leaves Sepang with a solid foundation, newfound confidence, and the belief that the coming season could mark a turning point in his career with Yamaha .
MotoGP, Sepang J3 Test, Final: times
