Alex Rins demonstrated a significant resurgence during the MotoGP Indonesian Grand Prix at Mandalika, rekindling memories of his strong performances with Suzuki as part of his Alex Rins MotoGP comeback. Despite challenges, the Yamaha rider fought hard on Sunday’s 27-lap race, running as high as second place before finishing tenth due to tyre wear.
Rins’ effort marked his best qualifying result since 2023, placing fourth on the grid, and his top finish since the German Grand Prix, where he also secured 10th. The race unfolded with Rins committed to a soft rear tyre, a decision that proved crucial amid Yamaha riders struggling to extract pace from medium compounds.
Struggles and Resilience on Race Day
During the Indonesian GP, Rins maintained his position near the front for much of the event, showcasing effective overtaking and defensive moves. However, a dramatic decline in rear tyre performance over the final laps pushed him out of podium contention.
Reflecting on the weekend, Rins said,
“It was quite tough for me,”
acknowledging both the physical and mental demands he faced. He added,
“I’m really happy, not because of the race but because of the weekend because it reminds me a little bit of the old times – with the Suzuki, enjoying.”
He emphasized his strong performance during the race and the disappointment of tyre degradation:
“I was riding quite well, I was defending the position, I was overtaking. We did a great weekend. It was a shame. We knew before starting the race that with the soft [compound rear tyre] we were going to suffer.”
Despite hoping the tyre drop would happen early, it only occurred in the last five laps:
“I gave my best, I tried to control the rear tyre, and until the last five laps I was there.”
A Message to Doubters Amid Ongoing Challenges
The race in Mandalika stood out during a difficult phase for Rins, following a severe leg injury sustained shortly after his win with LCR Honda in 2023. His transition to the factory Yamaha team has yet to yield results comparable to his peak years with Suzuki, where he secured five Grand Prix victories between 2017 and 2022.
Currently trailing his teammate Fabio Quartararo by 107 points in the championship, speculation surrounds Rins’ future with Yamaha for the 2026 season, despite his existing contract.
Rins openly addressed the lack of faith from some surrounding him:
“I never stopped believing in me,”
and added,
“There are some people around me that they stopped believing in me.”
He clarified,
“Questioning and things like that, but I never stopped believing that I was able to do it.”
Looking ahead, he remained cautiously optimistic:
“Sure, it’s only one weekend, but now we go to Australia. Let’s see what happens there. I will try to give my best.”
Keeping Perspective Despite a Promising Weekend
While pleased to prove his competitiveness after a tough season, Rins remained grounded about the implications of his performance. When asked if sending a message to doubters was satisfying, he responded, “Kind of.” He described the challenge, saying,
“It’s so tough when people is not trusting anymore in you and you are fighting and you are pushing.”
He reiterated the importance of consistency:
“It’s quite satisfying. But as I said, it was only the weekend, let’s see how it continues.”
With a positive outlook toward upcoming races, Rins highlighted his confidence in Phillip Island, where he has previously enjoyed success:
“Let’s see how it goes in Phillip Island, we have really good memories there.”
Summarizing his feelings about the Indonesian GP, he said,
“I’m quite happy. We are performing well. [Five laps to go] I was second, so I enjoyed it a lot.”
