Indonesian MotoGP: 'Alex, jump!' - Rins in hot seat with bike in flames

Alex Rins found himself in the hot seat at Mandalika on Saturday, when his Suzuki GSX-RR burst into flames during MotoGP final practice.
Alex Rins, Indonesian MotoGP, 18 March 2022
Alex Rins, Indonesian MotoGP, 18 March 2022
© Gold and Goose

Initially unaware of the engine issue when it caused him to run wide at Turn 10, Rins re-joined the track act♚ion until again feeling the rear ty🐭re slide and this time spotting the fast-growing flames.

Trying to slow hi🌌s bike as quickly as possible while keeping his feet out of the fire, the Spaniard abandoned ship on the entry to Turn 13.

 


 


 

 

"There was a problem with the tube where the oil goes," Rins explained. "In corner 10 I had a small rear slide. I 🐼looked down at my boots and the tyre but everything was normal so I continued pushing.

"Then in the next corner I lost it again. So I went 💞out of the 🌃line, first for my safety and the safety of the others.

"Then when I saw the bike on fire it was a scary moment because what went ﷽into my head was 'Alex, jump' because maybe the bike will explode. So it was not a good mome𒅌nt. But I'm okay."

Johann Zarco fell on the oil but, like Rins, was abꦕle to re-join tജhe session after a red-flag period to clean the track.

Suzuki said that the cau🔯se of the oil leak is still unclear. Some otheওr bikes have suffered stone damage this weekend.

Track cleaning after Alex Rins oil spill, Indonesian MotoGP, 19 March 2022
Track cleaning after Alex Rins oil spill, Indonesian MotoGP, 19 March 2022
© Gold and Goose

Rins went on to qualify as the top Suzuki in eighth pl♉ace, with team-mate Joan Mir down in 18th.

"Difficult," waꩲs the word Rins used to des🦩cribe Sunday's race, "for the conditions, for the heat, for the tyre management. It will be so hard!

"Overtaking will also be difficult because it's only one line and there are🍌 not many places to pass. So all the o🌳vertakes will be very close with the other riders.

"We need to start well and be as far to the front as possible at the first corn🐎er."

The good news is that Rins' physically condition has at least im📖proved after battling sickness on Friday𝄹.

"I'm feeling more power in my body, now the problem I have is in the stomach, let's see if the chicken and rice helps me toniꦗght!" he smiled.

Peter has been i✅n the paddoওck for 20 years and has seen Valentino Rossi come and go. He is at the forefront of the Suzuki exit story and Marc Marquez’s injury issues.

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