MotoGP, Rins: “When I fell, I didn’t make any mistakes, it just happened”

Today Alex Rins missed a great opportunity. Seven laps from the end of the GP, the Suzuki rider fell as he battled for victory with Fabio Quartararo in second place. But the Spanish driver sees the glass as half full: not happy with the end result, but very proud of the progress made compared to last year.

The Portimão weekend went very well“Said Rins.”I’ve been doing a good job since Friday. I started the second quarter and occupied the front row in qualifying. I’m impressed with how the race went. I’ve improved a lot compared to last year,Then he added. “In the race I was at the limit and Fabio was very fast. But I have to say that I was at a good, acceptable limit. In this situation, the bike sometimes moves a lot, spins in every turn and there is no grip. I was at my limit today, but I felt fine. I got to check the tires and it was a huge shame. I saw the dates of the fall and I have to say I didn’t go wrong with this corner. I braked in the same place and put the same amount of pressure on the brakes. Sometimes it happens. I’m not happy, but I’m happy with how it went these days in general. “

You and Fabio had an incredible pace. He said you left very quickly. The track record fell round after round. Was that why you fell?
“Fabio is right. It seemed like I was pushing him. He showed yesterday and in the warm-up that he has a great pace. The fall just happened. I wasn’t at the same pace as him, but I felt good during the race. After the fall, I saw his times: 1’39 ”800, then 1’40” 000. The tires have a limit. I don’t know if I could have passed it. Victory would have been difficult. I lost twenty important points. “

You did a good qualifying yesterday and today you drove very fast in the race again.
“Is that strange? I’ve been in MotoGP since 2017, I can say that I’ve been pretty competitive since 2018. Then in 2019 and 2020 I got strong. I think the work we do is the same as always. I am very happy with this weekend. With the exception of the fall, I was able to handle all the different situations that were on the track. I did qualifying alone. “

There have been many falls like you today. What do you think?
“I don’t know. It’s not easy to explain. Today I saw the warm-up and thought it was very similar to Qatar. The track got better and better lap after lap. I’ve spoken to Valentino before and he said it was similar. I can’t say the Michelins are not good because I had a great pace. I was there with Fabio. Maybe the track conditions weren’t the best.“”