Alex Rins will remain the official Moto GP rider for Team Ecstar Suzuki for the 2021 and 2022 seasons. The renewal of the contract between Suzuki Racing Company, a branch of Suzuki Motor Corporation, and the 24-year-old Spaniard arrives during a peculiar moment in history, as the 2020 Moto GP world championship has been unable to start due to the Covid-19 crisis. Speaking about the renewal of the contract, Shinichi Sahara, Moto GP Project Leader, Suzuki Ecstar, said, “This renewal of two more years with Alex Rins makes me and Suzuki very proud as it represents a building block in our project to grow young riders and progress alongside them. Unfortunately, the situation now doesn’t allow us to prove under race conditions all the progress that we’ve made or the results I believe we are capable of, but this Coronavirus situation is new for everyone and we need to adapt. For sure we are remaining upbeat, and this agreement confirms that we are always thinking of the future with optimism and positivity.”
Alex Rins joined Team Suzuki Ecstar in 2017, making his debut in the Moto GP class. His first year was marked by a severe ankle injury at the Argentina GP in the beginning of the season, but Rins recovered strongly and didn’t take long to show his true potential with consistent races in the second half of the year. Alex built on his experience and continued his growth throughout 2018, this saw him take his first Moto GP podium in Argentina, with third place.
The 2019 season placed him among the top Championship contenders, with consistent race results in the Top 5 and two outstanding victories: at the Texas GP and in Silverstone. The 2020 pre-season tests showed great potential and a good level of feeling between Rins and the upgraded Suzuki GSX-RR, but the results are still to come due to the stand-by situation that is affecting the 2020 Moto GP season.