Winner here in 2022, Alex Rins has good memories of Australia. However, his situation illustrates how quickly our environment is changing. Since 2022, the Spaniard has moved to Honda LCR, then signed with Yamaha as an official rider. Also, he was not spared from injuries, which, at the time of writing, still handicap him. Yet, against all odds, he managed to qualify directly into Q2, on a circuit that is known for success at the YZR-M1. However, his teammate Fabio Quartararo failed to do the same.
Alex Rins was quite happy at the end of this first day full of twists and turns, but could not hide the usual problems of his mount from the GPOne journalists. « It’s important to go straight into Q2, it puts you a lot ahead. The first few laps are tricky in MotoGP, so that helps. The problems of the M1? Always the same. When there is little grip, it becomes very heavy. It requires more physically, it’s very complicated » he asserted.
While Yamaha is expected to switch to V4, the Spaniard cannot help but remember this exceptional victory in 2022, while riding the Suzuki GSX-RR.
“Today, motorcycling is very different. My years there don’t help me” he continued. Even if the machine was not the same, Suzuki was the very example that the in-line four-cylinder represented a high-performance solution. The engine is certainly not the only source of problems at Yamaha.
Tires are a big question at Phillip Island, as they have been every year since 2013, at least. He’s only tried one type of gum so far. « I only passed the tender ones. Tomorrow I’ll see how the medium at the rear behaves. Marquez and Bezzecchi were quick with this compound » he concluded.
Do you think that Alex Rins will be able to restart on this track, where he won the jackpot only two years ago? Tell us in the comments!
Result of Practice at the 2024 Australian Grand Prix:
Ranking credit: MotoGP.com
Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport
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