Having left Suzuki, Alex Rins is preparing for a brand-new adventure in MotoGP™ as he teams up with LCR Honda for 2023, which signals his first foray in the premier class on a different bike to the GSX-RR. The move also means he will ride for a satellite team for the very first time in his premier class career, but the Spaniard’s winning ambitions remain the same, though he is aware of the challenges that lay ahead with the Japanese brand.

Speaking to motorsport.com, Rins described the transition to the new bike as «strange» and «complicated,» citing the significant differences between the Honda and his former bike. Despite the challenges, Rins remained positive about the potential of the RC213V, stating that «it didn’t seem like a bad bike to me.» However, he admitted to struggling with the engine response and the connection between the gas and power.

Rins also addressed the process of adapting to a new bike, stating that «adaptation to a new bike is achieved through hours of work.» He plans to train on a 1000cc Honda street model in January, but recognizes that it won’t fully prepare him for the unique demands of the MotoGP™ race bike.

Despite his successes on the Suzuki, Rins emphasized that he doesn’t want to simply recreate that experience on the Honda. «I told Honda that my idea is not to make their bike a copy of the Suzuki. The Honda will have its bad things, but also good things. I will always tell them how I did it at Suzuki, but not to make a bike like that one, but rather to put everything on the table,» he said.

Despite being on the satellite team, Rins is determined to bring success and trusts his team, including Honda’s Team Managers Lucio Cecchinello and Alberto Puig, to provide him with the resources he needs to succeed. However, he expressed concern about potentially being left out when it comes to receiving new pieces for the Honda bike, stating: «I am afraid that they will bring new pieces for them (factory riders Marc Marquez and Joan Mir) and not for me. In the end, if they are bringing me pieces and I feel comfortable, those pieces will stay on my bike, at least that’s what I hope. Bringing new material and giving it to me to test will mean that I am doing well and they trust me. Personally, I will try first of all to evolve the current bike and then make the bike my own. I am the first one who wants to win, even if I am in the satellite team «

Rins has two contracts, one with Cecchinello and another with Honda Racing Corporation (HRC). It’s clear that Rins is eager to make the most of this new opportunity and is determined to prove himself as a top contender on the Honda bike. It’s an exciting match-up, and one we can’t wait to see in action at Round 1 in Portimao on March 26th.