MotoGP: Two more years at Suzuki for Rins

Alex Rins will remain with the Suzuki MotoGP squad for two more years, announcing the news to no surprise at the French Grand Prix today. The Spaniard has been in open talks with the manufacturer for some weeks, with the announcement expected news in the paddock.

It comes as Rins builds on an injury-struck debut season for the firm by taking a strong start to 2018. Taking his debut podium in Argentina and looking strong in recent races despite crashing out last time out, he says that staying with Suzuki makes sense for him.

“I’m very happy about this contract renewal. Even when I was still in Moto2, and I was planning to move to MotoGP, it was always the Suzuki project which looked brightest and most interesting in my eyes. My debut last year was complicated; there was my back injury in the 2016 Valencia test, then the ankle injury while training, and finally the arm injury in Austin.

“So after only two races we had already been through a very tough time, but I always felt the affection and support of Suzuki and the whole Team. We were able to turn the situation around through being patient, working hard, and being consistent, and finally this year we got the first podium together with my third place in Argentina. But no matter the results, whether good or bad, the mood in the box has always been positive.

“The project that the Team have set up for me is fantastic, I can fully trust the capabilities of the Company and the Team when it comes to development and improvement, and I’m sure we can continue to aim for big results. Now we only have to keep on working hard to see just how far we can go…”