Rins "earned more respect" after 2018 breakthrough
Suzuki rider Alex Rins feels he has “earned more respect” in MotoGP since making a breakthrough during the 2018 campaign.
Rins joined the premier class after running out front in five seasons in Moto3 and Moto2, but struggled to make an immediate impact, not helped by Suzuki's compromised 2017 bike and injuries.
The Spaniard gradually built up pace as he went along and, having received an engine upgrade at Assen, went on to finish the campaign with a run of seven consecutive top-six finishes.
Back-to-back runs to second place in Sepang and Valencia allowed Rins to end up fifth overall in the final riders' standings.
“Next year I'm going to fight to the max,” said the 22-year-old, who signed a two-year extension with Suzuki earlier in 2018. “I have a lot of experience now.
“From Holland, when Suzuki brought a more powerful engine, I started to feel better.
“I think I've earned more respect from others. We have been taking small steps upwards. I didn't expect to score so many podiums at all.”
Rins, who will start testing for next year in Valencia on Tuesday, says feedback from the test team suggests that Suzuki has made another step forward with the 2019 version of its engine.
“We did an incredible second part of the season,” Rins said. “We did a lot of information for Suzuki, and already in Japan Sylvain Guintoli, our test rider, he try different chassis, different engines with a bit more power.
“Last year we did a bad choice on the engine and we couldn't fight for the podium.
“I don't test yet but Guintoli is riding a lot with this new engine and he says it's going very good, very fast on the top, sixth gear, so I'm very happy and very excited to start Tuesday.”
Rins will partner Joan Mir in 2019-20, the Moto2 recruit having replaced MotoGP race winner Andrea Iannone in the line-up.
Iannone, who is testing with his new Aprilia team in Valencia, finished five places behind Rins in the 2018 standings and scored two fewer podiums than his Spanish teammate.
He said he would “never understand” why Suzuki sought to replace him, while team boss Davide Brivio cited off-track factors like “image requirements” in response.
Rins said he was happy to have come out on top against Iannone in 2018, but gave credit to his now-former teammate's abilities.
“The first rider you want to beat is your teammate,” Rins said. “I'm very happy to have done that and to have scored more podiums than he did.
“I can't complain about him. He has been an incredible rider.
“Maybe without Iannone I would've relaxed. I wish him all the best at Aprilia.”
Andrea Iannone, Team Suzuki MotoGP, Alex Rins, Team Suzuki MotoGP
Photo by: Gold and Goose / LAT Images
Previous article
Lorenzo, Marquez not "100 percent" for Valencia test
Next article
Farewell to MotoGP's champion without a crown
About this article
| Series | MotoGP |
| Drivers | Alex Rins |
| Teams | Team Suzuki MotoGP |
| Author | Valentin Khorounzhiy |
Repsol Honda Team - Pol Espargaró Q&A
Repsol Honda Team - Marc Marquez Q&A
Why Alex Marquez doesn't care about 'shutting up' MotoGP critics
Alex Marquez's form was one of MotoGP 2020's biggest surprises and, by firmly stepping out of his six-time world champion brother Marc's shadow, he proved a few people wrong. Not that he cares about this, as he tells Lewis Duncan
How Yamaha's new MotoGP era can unchain Vinales
After the electrifying start to his Yamaha MotoGP career in 2017, Maverick Vinales has struggled for consistency. Many anticipate that the arrival of Fabio Quartararo could spell disaster, but the departure of Valentino Rossi could be just the impetus he needs.
Does KTM really need 'super engine' for MotoGP title challenge?
Fears from rival MotoGP manufacturers that KTM would build a 'super engine' for 2021 have ultimately come to nothing with the revealation that the RC16 hasn't been radically changed over the winter. But does it really need that to win the title?
How Ducati's latest Aussie union can return it to MotoGP glory
Australians on Ducatis is an iconic partnership, the marque's last one yielding its sole MotoGP crown to date. But its latest Aussie union with the often underestimated Jack Miller can end this drought.
The "balls out" battle between MotoGP's true greats
Senna vs Prost is regularly cited as motorsport's greatest rivalry. But it can easily be argued Rainey vs Schwantz can stake that claim. That rivalry was in full swing during the 1991 500cc season, remembered fondly by both stars 30 years on...
The "warrior" MotoGP rookie KTM was right to back
The 2020 MotoGP campaign featured a standout pair of rookies, but one flew under the radar as he adjusted to a shock step-up armed with very little racing experience. However as his veteran team boss explains, the faith shown in him was not misplaced
Why Suzuki's Brivio replacement must come from within
With its charismatic leader Davide Brivio leaving for Formula 1, the Suzuki MotoGP squad he turned into a world championship-winning force in 2020 has a major recruitment headache that it needs to resolve carefully.
Why Alpine's latest signing could be its best hope of F1 glory
The return of Fernando Alonso to the renamed Alpine team is a sure sign of the team's ambition. But its latest appointment from MotoGP could be an even bigger coup as it seeks to end a barren run stretching back to Alonso's 2006 world title
