Yamaha says Alex Rins “was n🌳ever in a condition to push” in his first MotoGP season on the M1 in 2024 ꩲbut “we know what he is capable of”.

Rins moved to his third new manufacturer in as many seasons in 2024 afterౠ electing to quit Honda for Yamaha.

Having proven successful on the inline-four Suzuki between 2017 and 2022, as well as being Honda’s only race winner in 2023, Rins w✱as expected to be st👍rong on the Yamaha this year.

But numerous injury woes, including a broken wrisඣt at the Dutch TT, conspired against Rins and m𒈔eant he scored just two top 10 finishes in 2024.

Finishing the year with 31 points, 82 fewer than team-mate Fabio Quartararo, Rins’ best result came in Malays♛ia when he was ei🐼ghth.

Yamaha boss Massimo Meregalli defended Rins’ poor season, but is still convinced by the Spaniard’s potential, with the Jap📖anese marque backing him with a new two-year deal.

“He arrivಞed at a moment where he 🧸was, for sure, not 100%,” Meregalli told MotoGP’s official website, referencing the serious leg injury he suffered in 2023.

“Then he had ups and downs, he had🀅 another accident in As🍬sen where he broke his wrist.

“For me, he ne𝕴ver been in a condition where he really could push at his 100% even if h🀅e always tried.

“Since two races ago [at the end of the se🌳ason], also he started getting closer and for us it’s very important because, first of all,💫 we know what he is capable of.

“But, you know, being alone and fighting wit𝓀h all the others that have more riders on track i🌠s a big disadvantage.

“So, when Alex is in a good shape w🎀e have at least two riders with which we can evaluate the information.

“ಞAnd for me, this will be very important next year when we will have four riders. This will give us some important benefits.”