Mercato Moto GP: Alex Rins at Suzuki in 2017 and 2018

Suzuki has just announced the arrival of the Spanish rider Alex Rins on the handlebars of the official GSX-RR within the Suzuki Ecatar team for 2017 and 2018, alongside the Italian Andrea Iannone who himself replaces Maverick Viñales, who left for Yamaha with Valentino Rossi.

Suzuki has just announced the arrival of the Spanish rider Alex Rins on the handlebars of the official GSX-RR within the Suzuki Ecatar team for 2017 and 2018, alongside the Italian who replaces himself with Valentino Rossi.

Aleix Espargaro looking for a new project "where they will truly believe in me"

“I had two fantastic seasons with these guys, but Suzuki decided to completely change their project so now is the time to move into a new project where they really believe in me,” said Aleix Espargaro upon learning of his ouster. by Alex Rins. "I will continue to work hard, as I have for the last 11 seasons in the world championship! It is not the most important thing in life, I am sure I will find a project where I can fight and be happy ", assures the 26-year-old Spanish rider that some sources announce at Aprilia, even if nothing is official yet.  Asked by a fan to know if his dog "Zuki" would henceforth be renamed "Prilia", Aleix replied that no because he did not yet know where he would go, but that "Zuki will remain Zuki anyway"…

"As a result of this new signing, the collaboration between Suzuki and Aleix Espargaró will end at the end of the 2016 MotoGP season", explains the manufacturer, saying "very grateful to Aleix for his contribution to the MotoGP project and to the development of the GSX- RR "and wishing him" a bright and victorious future ".

For a moment, the Suzuki door closes this time for the French Johann Zarco, currently in talks with team Tech3…

"A big step forward"

"I thank Suzuki Ecstar for this big step forward," said Alex Rins, adding that "for now, we have to continue fighting for the Moto2 title with Pons Racing".

Born in Barcelona on December 8, 1995, Rins (20) started motorcycle racing at the age of 7. He entered the World Championship at 16 in the Moto3 category until 2014, finishing behind Maverick Viñales. 

In 2015 he moved to Moto2 and also finished with two victories, ten podiums, three pole positions and the title of "rookie of the year". Also in Moto2 this year, he leads the provisional standings with 116 points ahead of Sam Lowes (108) and Johann Zarco (106) and takes advantage of the break before the Dutch GP next weekend to learn about paddle surfing..

"A perfect combination for our challenge"

"Alex Rins is a young driver who has already proven the extent of his talent by always fighting for the best places in the championship in all categories, which makes him the type of driver we want to support for the future", underlines Davide Brivio, team manager of the Suzuki Ecstar team.

“Pairing an experienced rider like Andrea Iannone with a young talent like Alex creates a perfect combination for our challenge. It is believed that the combination of these two riders, with the upcoming developments of the Suzuki GSX-RR, can help us put in place. creates a powerful team capable of competing at the highest level ".

"It was not an easy choice", continues the Italian team manager, "and we are sorry for Aleix () who we would like to thank for his work and the real passion he has shown since. better for the future, and in the meantime we will support him as best we can to try to obtain the best results until the end of the season ”.

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