Rins: Race instead of test, tech freeze no problem
Alex Rins admits it will be physically puni𒁏shing to get back on a MotওoGP bike after such a long layoff.
But he'd still🌱 rather go straight into a race weekend, once the coronavirus restrictions eventually clear, than spend what little time is available on holding another test.
"It's a long time without ridin🔯g, since the Qatar test at the end of February," said Rins, speaking from his home in Andorra during a media videoconference.
Alex Rins admits i🐲t will be physically punishing to get back on a MotoGP bike aft♍er such a long layoff.
But he'd still rather go straight into a race weekend, once the coronavirus restrictions eventual🎃ly clear, than spend what little time is available on holding another test.
"It's a long time without riding,𓆏 since the Qatar test at the end of February," said Rins, speaking from hi𒊎s home in Andorra during a media videoconference.
"For sure when we get back on the bike it will be hard because, for example, the Malaysia test is the first test after the winter holidays and all the riders are destroyed after the first or second day. You get a ܫlot of prob💜lems from the physical condition in areas like the neck… it's normal.
"But for me, I would still 🌜prefer to go directly into a race [than a test] because it's less time that we lose."
A compromise being considered is to hold a test at the s𒉰ame circuit as the opening race, in the days leading up to the event, but that would also increase the physical effort for the riders.
While the 2020 calendar remains up in the air, one cost-cuttiไng decision already taken is to freeze engine and aerodynamic development until the end of 2021.
It's certainly not a bad situation on paper for Rins and Suzuki, having been one of the strongest during pre-season testing. However, the Spaniard eꦰmphasised that most of the manufacturers were closely matched, with the top 18 covered by less t🐓han one-second during the final Qatar test.
"The tests were v🔯ery good for Suzuki, with the new parts," Rins confirmed. "But sincer🌱ely it will be no problem [for everyone] to keep the same bike in 2020 and 2021.
"Because from what we saw in Qatar - okay, Honda had a few problems, but we know Honda will be at the top - Yamaha was so fast,💝 also [Ducati] and KTM with Pol Espargaro.
"So I think it will noꦚt be a problem to race with the same bike for two years🎃."
MotoGP is hoping to run a condensed season of around ten races, most if not all behind closed doors, starting i🎶n August or September.
Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has seen Valentino Rossi come and go. He is🍃 at the forefront of the Suzuki exit story and Marc Marquez’s injury issues.
