MotoGP: Rins confirmed at Suzuki for 2017

Alex Rins, will, as MCN reported weeks ago, join the factory Suzuki MotoGP team for 2017 and 2018, replacing fellow Spaniard Maverick Viñales at the team for the next two years.

Rins is believed to have fought hard for the chance at a factory seat, reportedly turning down offers from Tech 3 Yamaha among others in his quest for a manufacturer-backed seat.

But, with a strong start to his Moto2 season working in his favour, Suzuki boss Davide Brivio says he’s the perfect person to partner Andrea Iannone for the next two years as the team attempt to replicate Viñales’ rookie performance.

“Alex Rins is a young rider who has already proven to have much talent, always fighting within the top positions of the World Championship since his debut in every class, making him the type of rider who we want to support for the future. To pair Andrea Iannone, an experienced rider with such a young talent as Alex creates a perfect combination for our challenge.

“We believe that the combination of these two riders, together with the further development of the Suzuki GSX-RR, can help us to create a strong team to compete at the maximum level.”

The move also seems to confirm that Aleix Espargaro will now step into the Aprilia squad alongside Sam Lowes for the coming two years. But with strong performances from him too to start the year, Brivio admitted that it was a hard choice not to keep him.

“It wasn’t an easy choice and we feel sorry for Aleix who we would like to thank for his hard work and the real passion he has continued to put in our project since it started. We wish him all the best for his future but in the meantime we will support as best as we can to try to get the best possible results together until the end of this season.”