Rins: Grip 'getting better every lap', aims to test 'many items'

Despite grip being at a premium on day-one of the official Mandalika MotoGP test, Alex Rins expects to test 'many items' as track conditions improve. 
Alex Rins, MotoGP, Indonesian MotoGP test, 11 February 2022
Alex Rins, MotoGP, Indonesian MotoGP test, 11 February 2022
© Gold and Goose

Suzuki rider Alex Rins believes next month’s inaugural Mandalika MotoGP will see several riders fighting for the win, despite having just one day of experience around the Indonesian circuit. 

Rins, who finished inside the top five on both days of last weekend’s Sepang test, was again one of the fastest and more consistent riders during the first of three days in Mandalika. 

Rins finished six tenths down on Pol Espargaro’s best time (P4), however, for the third consecutive day of testing the Spaniard was quicker than team-mate Joan Mir who managed eighth - +0.288s off Rins’ time.

"Overall it was a good day. I mean, we had everything, we had a lot of dust on the track, a lot of stones, lap by lap it was getting better, lap by lap the grip level was increasing,” said Rins. 

"But it's always nice to ride on a new track. So I'm quite happy. Overall we didn't test a lot of things today, it was more trying to find the ideal gearbox, ideal electronic side and everything. So let's see for tomorrow if we can start testing more."

With learning the new 4.310km (2.678 mile) track a priority for Rins, the three-time MotoGP race winner will instead test several of Suzuki’s new parts during Saturday and Sunday’s action. 

But with that said, there was a new component on show from the 26 year-old as he managed to test the team’s new front fork from Ohlins.

Rins added: "Was so difficult to work on the setting of the bike, the track was so dirty. We just tried a new front fork from Ohlins, and a little bit of cowling. 

"Not many things, because it was just one line and if you go out of the line, if you keep going, you lose the front. So it was quite difficult."

Despite the lack of grip, tricky weather conditions, and it being a new track, Rins is already convinced a big group of riders will be fighting for victory during next month’s race, a battle he hopes to be part of.  

Rins said: "This track is so similar to Austria, but the change of directions are faster, so it's an easy track. I think in the race time, there will be a lot of riders at the front, there can be a group of four or five riders. Let's see if we can be one of them."

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