Rins, 21, suffered fractures of his left wrist and forearm in a training accident during the Grand Prix of the Americas weekend and was subsequently treated by regular MotoGP surgeon Dr. Xavier Mir operates. Two titanium plates were used to hold the broken bones in place.
The injury should rule him out for at least six weeks, as Suzuki test driver Takuya Tsuda drove as a replacement at Jerez and Sylvain Guintoli confirmed the same role for Le Mans.
However, it is understood that Rins is likely to miss the Mugello lap and his home race at the Circuit de Catalunya as well.
The Barcelona-born could still recover in time for his home race, but Suzuki should be sure he has made a full recovery.
“We’d like Alex to return only when he’s 100 percent ready to drive and when his physical condition doesn’t prevent him from doing anything,” Suzuki team principal Davide Brivio told Motorsport.com.
Data proves that rins can be “very fast”
Rins, who finished in the top three in Moto3 in 2013 and ’14 and in the top three in Moto2 in ’15 and ’16, has had a difficult start in the premier class so far. His progress was slowed by injuries.
The Spaniard was injured in a back fall during his first Suzuki test in Valencia late last year and was driving in Argentina due to an injury sustained in a motocross training accident – before being pushed to the sidelines by his accident in Austin has been.
While rookies Johann Zarco and Jonas Folger experienced a smoother transition to MotoGP, Rins, who finished ninth on his debut in Qatar, was supported by team principal Brivio to do well in the premier class.
“We are very happy with Rins because we saw how talented he is,” said Brivio. “The data and his riding style lead us to believe that he can be very fast on a MotoGP bike.
“He has good technique but has not been able to maximize it because of the injuries.
“These [early] The phase was important so that he could have a strong end to the season, but everything was delayed. Rins has great potential, but you can’t buy experience. “
Guintoli hopes to continue past Le Mans
Rins’ replacement for Le Mans – former MotoGP regular and Superbike World Champion Guintoli – was not confirmed after the French round.
But he could very well repeat the role in later events as the British Superbikes series – in which he is a regular – won’t resume until after the MotoGP round in Barcelona.
When asked if he would stay in the line-up until Rins was fit, Guintoli told Motorsport.com: “Yes, that’s the plan. Nothing has been confirmed at the moment, but the fact that I am available immediately, is good in case. The team wants Alex to be really fit before he comes back. “
Before returning to MotoGP for his home Grand Prix, the 34-year-old, who lagged 2.625 seconds behind the pace in the official Jerez test, says he doesn’t know what he can achieve at Le Mans.
“There is no pressure on the results,” added Guintoli. “Everyone knows that adapting to MotoGP and Michelin tires is a very difficult challenge.
“I think it will be a very nice experience, but from a sporting point of view it will be a very difficult challenge.”
Additional coverage from Lena Buffa