Imagine the thrill of witnessing a MotoGP rider, battered by relentless struggles, suddenly ignite a spark of genuine optimism on the track—could this be the turning point we've all been waiting for? In the high-stakes, adrenaline-fueled world of motorcycle racing, where every lap tests the limits of human endurance and machine precision, Alex Rins's showing at the Indonesian Grand Prix stands out as a beacon of potential recovery from a punishing two-and-a-half-year drought. And this is the part most people miss: it's not just about the results; it's the underlying changes that hint at something truly transformative.
Sure, it spanned just a single weekend, and Rins himself acknowledges that. His qualifying session landed him on the second row, though it came with a touch of skepticism—perhaps aided by a smart tow from another rider. The race itself didn't deliver spectacular finishes either. But when measured against the backdrop of his previous hardships, this performance wasn't merely solid; it radiated a distinct quality. For fans new to MotoGP, think of it like a golfer finally hitting consistent putts after years of missed opportunities—it felt like progress rooted in real improvements to his Yamaha bike's setup, tailored perfectly to his riding style. This wasn't fleeting luck; it was something concrete to rally around.
What made it even more promising was the timing: right before heading to Phillip Island, one of Rins's traditional strongholds in the MotoGP calendar. Reflecting on his hard-earned victory there in 2022 (as detailed in this Race article), where he fended off relentless pressure from Marc Marquez's Honda and a pack of Ducatis led by champion Pecco Bagnaia, Rins kicked off Suzuki's triumphant farewell season, clinching two of the last three races. "We have really good memories there," he shared with The Race, noting that after such a promising Mandalika weekend, the next best destination might even be Austin—site of his debut MotoGP win in 2019 and that astonishing, almost surreal 2023 triumph with LCR Honda (covered here).
Those earlier seasons painted a picture of Rins as a rider poised for greatness, someone who could challenge legends like Marquez in the long run, much like his future Yamaha teammate Fabio Quartararo. Standout moments, such as his dramatic last-corner overtake of Marquez at the British GP in 2019, positioned him as a rising star. Yet, the path wasn't smooth. Between those highs and the stellar close to 2022 into 2023, there were setbacks: frequent crashes, being eclipsed by teammate Joan Mir at Suzuki, and even a bizarre incident where he fractured his arm while cycling and texting (explored in this piece). But the final stint with Suzuki and his electrifying start at LCR Honda suggested the "real" Rins was back in form.
Then came the brutal setback—a severe leg fracture at Mugello in June 2023 that shattered his momentum. Struggling under Quartararo's shadow at Yamaha throughout 2024 and into 2025, while clearly dealing with lingering injury effects in daily life, the connection seemed undeniable. Rins maintained it wasn't his leg hindering him, insisting the issue was adapting to the Yamaha's characteristics. But his early-season crutches in the paddock raised eyebrows—was he perhaps downplaying the obvious to protect his career? For beginners in racing, this highlights how injuries can linger, affecting balance and confidence on a bike going over 200 mph.
As months passed and Rins kept claiming fitness was no longer an issue, yet remained largely unremarkable on the track, opinions hardened. If this was peak Rins, fully recovered, was he truly worthy of holding a factory Yamaha seat through 2026? Those rare flashes of speed often stemmed from drafting other riders in qualifying, fading in races. Yamaha isn't known for dropping riders abruptly, but retaining him risked squandering a prime bike opportunity. And this is where it gets controversial: some argue Rins deserves unwavering loyalty for his past brilliance, while others question if prioritizing a rider still battling ghosts of injury over raw talent is fair in such a competitive sport.
But Mandalika changed the narrative. Yes, he trailed Quartararo closely for a lap to secure fourth on the grid—but not glued in a draft. This wasn't just aerodynamic assistance; it reflected genuine pace. He did crash after that strong lap, delaying the session by attempting to remount (though it didn't affect his position, only potentially the two factory Hondas). In the sprint race, Marquez's aggressive opening lap dropped Rins to 12th. His soft tire strategy allowed a brief surge to second place for four exhilarating laps before dropping to 10th as the tires wore out.
Remarkably, post-sprint, Rins focused not on the frustrations but on the qualifying breakthrough, especially gains in braking. "Already in Motegi we did a step forward in terms of producing the speed of the bike, to entering the corner, to not miss the apex and have the correct line," he explained. Mandalika's mix of high-speed and tight corners demanded precise braking, like in corners one and 10, and they've refined that since Japan. "This track has fast corners and slow corners. There are two sectors where you have to do a really good line... we've fixed it since Motegi and I'm quite happy because I was able to be strong in that area. And then sector two and sector four are really fast sectors, corners that I like." For those unfamiliar, sectors are timed portions of the lap, and mastering them means smoother, faster rides overall.
Phillip Island's sweeping curves won't require as much heavy braking, but the confidence he exuded is key. "I never stopped believing in me. There are some people around me that stopped believing in me. Questioning and stopped believing. But I never stopped believing that I was able to do it," he shared. "It's so tough [being doubted]. It's so tough when people are not trusting in you anymore and you are there and you are fighting and you are pushing. It's quite satisfying [to prove doubters wrong]."
Each positive remark came with caution: "It was only one weekend, let's see how it continues." Indeed, no such standout since his injury. Even with assistance, he hadn't topped eighth in qualifying at Yamaha, and Mandalika marked his seventh top-10 start in nearly two years on the M1. But the bike is evolving—the V4 engine arrives soon. Though Rins has mostly raced inline-fours, he adapted quickly to win on his third V4 outing with Honda. He sounded more upbeat than Quartararo about its potential after testing in Misano.
This stirs real hope. Rins's MotoGP journey might conclude on a high note, far from the despair it hinted at. "It reminds me a little bit of the old times, you know, with the Suzuki, enjoying it," he reflected after the main race. "I was riding quite well, I was defending the position, I was overtaking. We did a great weekend."
So, what do you think, fellow racing fans? Is this the resurgence of a champion, or just a fluke in a season of struggles? Do you believe Rins's injury excuses are valid, or should Yamaha look elsewhere for 2027? And here's a provocative twist: could this 'glimmer' actually reveal that the sport's loyalty to veterans sometimes overshadows fresh talent—agree or disagree? Drop your opinions in the comments; I'd love to hear your take!
