After two rounds, Álex Rins is still looking for the best way to ride the Yamaha YZR-M1. The rider scored points for the first time at the MotoGP Portugal Grand Prix, but in both races fell short of the performance of his teammate Fabio Quartararo – who has much more experience with the Japanese bike.
Following the Portugal Grand Prix, as quoted by Motosan.es, the Spanish rider admitted that the base setup of the bike leans more towards Quartararo: ‘Throughout the weekend, we were testing small things, but the «base», it’s a bit in the direction Fabio is going’.
According to Rins, there are some differences in riding style compared to the 2021 champion: ‘I’m noticing that maybe we have different styles. Where I have more difficulties is at the moment of releasing the brake, I don’t feel much support on the front wheel. So, we have to try something «radical» to see if I feel more comfortable’.
Rins is currently in 18th place in the MotoGP World Championship. After starting the season with a modest 16th place in Losail, he finished 13th in Portimão – while Quartararo crossed the finish line in seventh, marking the first top ten of the year for Yamaha.