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Now it's official: Alex Rins will race next year with an official Honda in Cecchinello's LCR team. This is an important piece of the puzzle for the Japanese colossus which, as it waits for the return of Marc Marquez, is strengthening a team that this year has reached a nadir in terms of results.
The 26-year-old from Barcelona, left without a ride since Suzuki’s retirement this year, has been a constant protagonist in all Grand Prix classes and finished third in the overall standings in the 2020 MotoGP World Championship. On his debut in 2012 with Honda in the Moto3 World Championship, Rins fought for the title every year, before moving up to the premier class in 2017. With 15 wins to his name, including three in the premier class, and a total of 55 podiums, including 15 in MotoGP , Rins brings a wealth of experience to HRC and the LCR Honda CASTROL Team.
“I am very happy to be joining the LCR Honda Team. Changing team and bike is a challenge but I am ready to give my 100% and to put into practice everything that I’ve learnt during my years in the MotoGP class. Lucio and Honda’s trust have been crucial for me in deciding to take on this challenge with this factory. I would like to thank them for this opportunity,” declared Alex Rins.
“I am delighted to announce that Álex Rins will be the LCR Honda CASTROL rider in 2023 – said former rider and now LCR Team Manager Lucio Cecchinello - We’ve just finished signing the contract, all 3 parties, so we are finally able to announce it. Rins is an experienced rider, a fast rider and a podium finisher. This wealth of experience, coupled with Rins’ ability to give the precise suggestions to his technicians, as I’ve heard, will surely help us to improve our bike package, aiming to fight for more podiums.”
Rins replaces Alex Marquez, who has moved to the Ducati-Gresini team, while Japanese rider Ogura is expected to be signed in place of Nakagami. Although it now seems certain that Rins' current teammate, Joan Mir, will sign for the Repsol Honda team to replace Pol Espargarò, who has returned to KTM, the deal has yet to be officialized.
