Alex Rins started 2021 with a press conference at the pits in Portimao. The Spaniard is on the Portuguese circuit to train with his Susie, the GSX-R he has adapted. “Last year I rode a completely stock bike, it also had headlights and a passenger seat. It’s nicer now,” he smiled. Alex shares the route with Albert Arenas and Valentino Rossi and the other riders from the VR46 Riders Academy will arrive in Portugal on Wednesday.
Rins spent the winter in the best possible way.
“I’m fine and I’m waiting for tests in Qatar – he says – unfortunately we won’t go to Malaysia. I was excited to be going back there. By the way, I’m happy because I didn’t catch Covid and I train as much as possible in the gym, on the dirt bike I do a little bit of everything “.
You were worried about your shoulder at the end of the season, how are you now?
“I’m positively impressed because it doesn’t cause me any problems in the gym. I feel perfect We still don’t know exactly how we’re going to start this season, maybe it will be a bit strange again, but I want to get my MotoGP bike as fast as possible and give 100%. “”
Davide Brivio won’t be in the garage anymore. How did you react when you found out?
“He called me the day before the news came out, I was in my car, coming home from a vacation in the Maldives. When he told me I thought it was a joke it was a shock to me and the team. It seems that Suzuki is not going to replace anyone and I think it’s for the best, it’s not easy to pick a new team manager so quickly, but the situation within the team is good. “”
Will you miss him very much?
“Of course we talked a lot, we joked and he gave me advice, he just had to look at me to calm me down and make me feel positive. I hope he comes to a few races as a guest, certainly not the first, because there will be the Formula 1 GP. I wish him the best of luck. “
Would you definitely have renewed yourself with Suzuki if you had known he was going to leave?
“It’s an interesting question, but Suzuki is like a big family to me. I don’t know if there is someone who can replace David, we will see that Sahara will be present for sure. “
Do you think Brivio will also be successful in F1?
“He’ll do fine for sure. Let’s not forget that he practically started the Suzuki team from scratch. He will have more people to manage, but he has all the qualities to be successful. “
What are your goals for 2021?
“I tried to change the little things that didn’t work out last year. My shoulder is better so the goal is to fight for the title. In 2020 I got closer and our team and our bike were successful. I also know that the rivals are very strong, in fact there have been many different winners: the key will always be to stay ahead. I’m still angry about my crash in Jerez, but you learn from mistakes. “
Who will be your biggest rival?
“When we talk about rivals, it’s pretty early, but I think tThe first will be my teammate Joan Mir because he got the title last year and will certainly try to keep it. That’s a motivation for me. Joan did a great job last year and the first rival is your teammate so I’ll give my 100% to try to beat him. “
And Marquez?
“It’s very difficult because we don’t know his condition. Everyone talks a lot, but I think no one will know the reality or the truth until the last moment. I like to see him on the right track, he’s very talented and you learn a lot from him. “
Do you expect him to be competitive right away?
“Of course I hope that he will return to the first race and fight. Much will depend on his physical condition. “
What do you want to improve?
“In many things, in communication in the garage, at work on and off the track, with a better understanding of the bike. As a driver, I want to improve myself in qualifying. “
And the bike?
“We can always improve there too, but we are already at a very high level, we are where we should be. The bikes will be very similar to the 2020 season as we have the frozen engines, only one change to the fairings is allowed. “
How do you expect the first race after five days of testing in Qatar?
“This is particularly beneficial for beginners and for riders who change bikes. After so many days, I think we’ll all be closer in the race than ever before. Of course we have to spend a month in Qatar and I would prefer to do it in a different location, there isn’t much to do and it’s very hot. “
Have you seen the new turn 10 of the Barcelona circuit? What do you think?
“I think the track is safer now, it’s better for everyone”.
Given the risks of Covid, Rea suggested introducing the idea of dropping the worst result at SBK. Would that be useful in MotoGP too?
“It would be something different than Superpole instead of qualifying. We talked about it in the Security Commission, but we didn’t go any further. I’m a consistent driver so it would be the same for me. If I had to choose, I would abstain. “