In a dramatic twist at the Spanish MotoGP, Alex Rins faced a challenging situation following a crash that left him with injuries, including a small crack in his wrist. The incident occurred during Saturday’s practice sessions, where Rins, after a harmless spill earlier, crashed hard into the air fence at Turn 4, necessitating medical checks at the center.
Despite the seriousness of the crash, doctors declared him fit to continue, but Rins later disclosed the injuries sustained from the impact. “It was a big crash this morning,” said Rins. “I lost the front at high speed and went into the air fence, hitting the wall. For a crash at that speed, I’m more or less OK. But they found a little crack in my wrist and the knee was very painful.” These remarks highlight the severity of his situation, as he faced both physical pain and the pressure of competing on race day.
With only minutes remaining in Q1, Rins made a brief return to the track, managing to secure the 23rd position on the grid with a single lap despite his discomfort. As the race progressed, he participated in the 12-lap Sprint, navigating a difficult setup while pushing through the pain. His determination paid off when he climbed to 15th place, aided by the retirements of three competitors, including teammate Fabio Quartararo.
“I did the Sprint just to see what my condition is like,” Rins explained afterward. “For sure I’m destroyed now – after a really big crash, all the muscles start to be painful. But it was important because we tried a different setup this morning, and I understood it is not the line to follow. We are a bit far from Fabio, so we need to keep working.”
Team director Massimo Meregalli commended Rins for his resolve during such a tough situation, noting, “Mentally and physically, that’s a tough situation for a rider to be in, but Alex did well in the Sprint. He gradually regained confidence and made some good overtakes, which will help for Sunday’s long race.”
Meanwhile, Quartararo, who had initially led the race, also fell victim to a crash after being overtaken by Marc Marquez. Rins’ injuries have raised questions about his participation in future races, especially given the risks associated with competing while recovering from such significant impact. As fans eagerly await updates, the implications of his condition will be closely monitored in the days to come.
