Rins: Mugello result disappointing as I had "rhythm to win"
Suzuki MotoGP rider Alex Rins admits he felt disappointed to finish fourth at Mugello, having had “rhythm to win the race” despite starting only 13th.

Rins was eliminated in the first qualifying segment on Saturday, but scythed his way through the pack in the opening laps of Sunday's race.
He spent the entire race from then on in the front pack, and even led a lap, but his GSX-RR was ultimately powerless to compete with the Ducatis of Danilo Petrucci and Andrea Dovizioso and the Honda of Marc Marquez on the main straight.
Settling for fourth, the Austin race winner now sits 27 points behind Marquez and 15 points behind Dovizioso in the riders' championship.
"Before the start of the race, we already know that this track will be difficult for us for this long straight," Rins said.
"For sure after crossing the finish line on P4 I was disappointed because I think I had rhythm to win the race, but anyway we finished in fourth position in a track that we struggle a lot for this long straight.
"It's hard for the championship because now Marc and Dovi go a little bit - but anyway a lot of races to do, always on the second part of the championship we are strong.
"In Qatar and here that was two tracks very difficult [for Suzuki], we finish on the fourth position, we beat some Ducatis, we beat some Hondas, so it's okay."
Mugello continued the trend of poor qualifying performances for Rins, but the Suzuki rider said this proved irrelevant in the Italian Grand Prix.
"Doesn't matter the position on the start," he insisted. "For sure helps starting more on the front, but crossing the finish line on the first lap, recovering a lot of position, this one doesn't matter."
Instead, Rins said his top-speed deficit was the main factor that hampered his victory chances, as he reckoned he was unable to even stay in the draft of the Ducati and Honda bikes ahead.
"This track for me, for me and for all the team but basically for me, was very physical," Rins said. "The physical demands are much higher.
"I was not able to do any mistakes, because we arrive into the final straight, maybe [losing] 0.3, 0.4 [seconds], I was recovering everything on the corners.
"It's very difficult to improve the [top] speed in our case because we have closed engines and everything, but we can improve on the aerodynamics for example, on the wheelie area, on the resistance with the air.
"So for sure Suzuki are working on that and they will bring new components."
Additional reporting by Oriol Puigdemont

Previous article
Petrucci will now "do everything" to aid Dovizioso title bid
Next article
Nakagami's 'animal' mindset key to beating Crutchlow

About this article
Series | MotoGP |
Event | Italian GP |
Sub-event | Race |
Drivers | Alex Rins |
Teams | Team Suzuki MotoGP |
Author | Valentin Khorounzhiy |
Rins: Mugello result disappointing as I had "rhythm to win"
Trending
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