Rins: We’re very prepared

Alex Rins has gone as far as suggesting the 2019 Suzuki GSX-RR features no ‘negative points’ after wrapping up the final MotoGP preaseason test with the third fastest time.

Suzuki continued what has largely been its strongest, most stable winter of testing since it returned to the premier class in 2015, and Rins has been front and centre, showing tremendous consistency at both Sepang and Qatar.

The Spaniard was in fine form in the desert, placing second on day one, first on day two, and showing pace that was on a par with countrymen Maverick Viñales and Marc Marquez.

A crash mid-way through Monday’s action scuppered his plans to complete a race simulation. But Rins remained unfazed later that night. “We are prepared,” he said, before adding “Very prepared” for good effect.

“I think we are prepared. We are very prepared, we did a very good job with these tests. We tested everything which Suzuki brought for us. There were a lot of parts, a lot of very good parts. Not a lot of negative parts, so this is very good.

“We had planned [a race run], but with the crash in the second corner, the mechanics spent like an hour and a half to repair the bike. The important thing is that after the crash, when I came back, I did 1'54.9, so this is a good thing."

Having enjoyed ten days of testing since the final race of 2018, Rins has had the chance to evaluate a host of new parts from Suzuki, including engine, chassis, exhaust and aerodynamic updates.

All of which seemed positive. Asked if there was anything still to improve before the season’s first race on March 10th, he said, “At the moment, no.

“We tried a lot of things, we created a good setup. For sure for the race day, it will be very different, because one week later, there will be more wind, more sand, less sand, we won't know until Friday.”

And what of the positive and negative points of the ’19 GSX-RR? “The positive points I think we have a lot of good base in all of the aspects, and we don't have negative points.”

The 23-year old didn’t even feel overly concerned about the level of the competition, either. “I saw them strong,” he said when asked to assess his competitors.

“They did a good lap time. I don't know the race pace, but for sure in the Qatar race, everybody will be at the top.”