It has been officially confirmed that current Suzuki rider Alex Rins will join LCR Honda at the end of this season after signing a two-year contract.
Alex Rins has been officially confirmed as a member of the LCR Honda squad for the 2023 MotoGP season. The pact is a provision of a two-year contract between Rins, the team, and Honda Racing Corporation.
In Lucio Cecchinello’s Honda satellite team, Rins will take Alex Marquez’s place as Marquez, who spent two years at LCR, has signed with the Gresini Ducati team. Ai Ogura, a rookie, is anticipated to team with him.
However, LCR swiftly turned into Rins’ most likely destination before the former Moto3 and Moto2 runner-up formally signed his contract, as Rins’ current teammate Joan Mir was also anticipated to sign for Honda through its Repsol Honda squad.
There were a lot of rumours linking the Spaniard to potential seats at Gresini Ducati and the new RNF Aprilia project when Suzuki announced his plan to retire from MotoGP at the conclusion of 2022 after the Jerez Grand Prix.
“I am very happy to be joining the LCR Honda Team,” Rins said in a statement. “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.”
Speaking after the signing of Rins, Team Owner Lucio Cecchinello said: “I am delighted to announce that Álex Rins will be the LCR Honda CASTROL rider in 2023. 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.”
The addition of Rins gives Honda another experienced winner in the premier class and a rider who has consistently been quick since entering the MotoGP, as Honda is currently engaged in another awful 2022 MotoGP campaign.
Earlier this season, Rins was a title candidate, just like teammate Mir. However, following an accident in Le Mans and two unfortunate incidents with Takaaki Nakagami that led to DNFs at Mugello and Catalunya, Rins’s last top five finish came in Portimao.
Rins placed eleventh in the final race before the summer break in Assen after missing the German Grand Prix due to injury.
