Rins had an ups and downs in 2018 when he finished third in Argentina, but battled for form in subsequent races held on tracks he missed due to injury last year.
It was Assen where he returned to racing last year and Rins showed improved form at the Dutch venue as he was part of the leading group throughout the race and finished second – 0.039 seconds ahead of Maverick Vinales.
Rins says that by gaining experience in each race, he feels like he will soon be celebrating his first MotoGP win.
“We have been driving very fast on all tracks since Qatar,” said Rins. “I was able to ride with the leading group on many tracks, but I made small mistakes and fell.
“Now I’m trying to stay calmer, especially on this track. Suzuki has brought a new engine with a little more speed, especially at the top, which helps us a little on the straights. That’s all.
“I think all upcoming races will be good for us, I’ll try to do my best in every race.
“We are using the new engine and the carbon chassis. I’m very comfortable with these parts so you have to fight to move forward.
“Little by little we are gaining experience, but the bike works very well and I think victory will come soon.”
Rins described his race as “the toughest of my life” but enjoyed fighting with the best MotoGP riders.
“Unbelievable. I have no words,” he said. “I think the toughest race of my life in MotoGP.
“I did my best, we knew since yesterday that it would be a very difficult race with many drivers at the front.
“But we did it very well. I tried to keep my rhythm, to catch up with them because I knew I could land on the podium.”
Rins’ most memorable moments of the race were overtaking Marc Marquez in the Strubben, which almost resulted in the Honda rider falling, and overtaking Maverick Vinales on the final lap in second place.
The Suzuki driver added: “That was amazing because two or three laps before I overtook Marc I saw that he was very strong on that corner and I felt great and I think why not?
“So I released the brakes and passed him, but on the next lap he passed me. So I said, ‘Wow, this is going to be a fantastic race’.
“Even in the end with Maverick and with every driver, [Andrea] Dovizioso too, I really enjoyed it. “
Rins added that he was not 100 percent physical as he had a gastrointestinal virus the morning of the race.
“This morning my stomach didn’t feel good at all and my breakfast was bad so the doctors could treat me well, but I was a little weak,” he said.
“It was a very difficult race. Thanks to Clinica Mobile and all the doctors.”
Additional reporting from Oriol Puigdemont