Alex Rins Eyes Success at COTA Amidst Team Transition and Challenges

Alex Rins recognizes that his victory at the Circuit of the Americas in 2023 was a remarkable achievement, but now he is focused on the next race. Last season, Rins secured Honda’s first MotoGP victory since 2021 while racing for the LCR team. Unfortunately, his success was short-lived as he suffered serious leg fractures in the following rounds, forcing him to miss several races during his recovery. In 2024, Rins switched teams once again, joining Yamaha’s factory team on a one-year contract alongside 2021 world champion Fabio Quartararo. Rins has an impressive track record at COTA, having won four times at the venue, including two MotoGP victories. His win last year made him the only rider to win with two different manufacturers at the track, and he is excited to return this weekend. Rins expressed his enthusiasm, stating: “I’m thrilled to be back at COTA. It’s a circuit that I really enjoy, and last year’s victory was truly special. I’m looking forward to this Grand Prix as it’s one of my favorites. However, instead of dwelling on the past, I want to focus on the task at hand.” Despite the current challenges faced by Yamaha, making a repeat victory unlikely, Rins has the opportunity to become the first rider to win MotoGP races with three different manufacturers. Unfortunately, Yamaha’s preparations for the 2024 season were disrupted when their private test in Portimão was canceled due to unfavorable weather conditions leading up to the COTA weekend. Rins expressed his disappointment, saying: “It’s a real shame that the private test in Portimão was canceled. We were incredibly lucky with the weather. As a result, we had to adjust our plans, and this weekend, we will focus on fine-tuning the settings of my bike.”