For Alex Rins, the past two and a half years have been nothing short of a grueling MotoGP ordeal. But a single weekend in Mandalika ignited a spark of genuine hope—a glimmer that suggests his struggles might finally be turning a corner. Could this be the beginning of Rins' redemption story?
It’s important to temper expectations: yes, it was just one weekend. And yes, his second-row qualifying had its question marks, while the race results still left much to be desired. But in the context of his recent career, Rins’ performance at the Indonesian Grand Prix felt like more than just a fleeting moment of excellence. It was different—a tangible shift rooted in Yamaha setup improvements that seemed to click with his riding style. This wasn’t just a lucky break; it was a foundation to build upon.
And the timing couldn’t have been better. Next up is Phillip Island, one of Rins’ strongholds, where he delivered a hard-fought victory in 2022 that kickstarted Suzuki’s glorious farewell season. That win, with Marc Marquez and five Ducatis hot on his tail, reminded the world of Rins’ potential. But let’s not forget: his 2019 performances, like the last-corner overtake on Marquez at the British GP, once marked him as a rising star poised to challenge Marquez’s dominance. Yet, between those highs and his brilliant 2022/2023 resurgence, Rins faced setbacks—too many crashes, being overshadowed by Joan Mir, and a bizarre cycling accident that broke his arm. But here’s where it gets controversial: Was it really just the savage leg break at Mugello in 2023 that derailed his momentum, or were there deeper issues at play?**
At Yamaha, Rins struggled in Fabio Quartararo’s shadow, visibly grappling with the aftermath of his injury. While he insisted his leg wasn’t the issue, the correlation seemed too obvious. His recent performances, despite claims of full fitness, raised questions about whether he still deserved his factory Yamaha seat. Most of his highs felt fleeting, often dependent on following other riders in qualifying without translating into race results. And this is the part most people miss: Yamaha’s loyalty to Rins, while admirable, risked wasting a bike if he couldn’t deliver. But Mandalika changed the narrative.
Yes, he followed Quartararo for his qualifying lap, but not closely enough to suggest it was solely due to a tow. Yes, he crashed afterward, prolonging the yellow flags, but his position on the second row was secure regardless. In the sprint, Marquez’s aggressive move pushed him back, and a soft tire choice in the Grand Prix led to a deceptive glory run. Yet, what stood out was Rins’ focus on the positives—specifically, his breakthrough qualifying pace and improved braking. Is this the return of the real Rins?
His post-race comments were telling: “I never stopped believing in me,” he said, acknowledging the doubters who had questioned his ability. “It’s so tough when people stop trusting you, but it’s satisfying to prove them wrong.” Yet, he remained cautious: “It was only one weekend. Let’s see how it continues.”
But this wasn’t just any weekend. It was his highest qualifying position since joining Yamaha and only his seventh top-10 start in nearly two years on the M1. With Yamaha’s upcoming V4 engine—a significant change for Rins, who’s spent most of his career on inline-fours—there’s reason for optimism. After all, he won on just his third start with a V4 during his brief Honda stint.
As Rins heads to Phillip Island, he won’t need heavy braking or precise slow-corner entries, but he’ll need the confidence he exuded in Mandalika. Could this be the start of a happier chapter in his MotoGP story? Only time will tell. But one thing’s for sure: the doubters are watching—and so are the believers. What do you think? Is Rins back, or is this just another fleeting moment in a tumultuous career? Let’s discuss in the comments.
