Alex Rins has suggested that the adverse track conditions at the shortened Brazil MotoGP race have caused him to suffer a finger injury.
MotoGP’s maiden race in Goiania was shortened by a third, with teams alerted just six minutes before the start of the warm up lap.
The FIM admitted on Wednesday that localised asphalt degradation caused by the significant heat and track activity race led to the decision to reduce the race distance.
However, the tarmac appeared to degrade even in the shortened race – which caused some riders to be hit by stones from the loose asphalt.
Rins was one of those riders, which caused him to suffer a hand injury due to severe bruising.
“What I felt is a really, really low grip,” the Spaniard said via Motorsport.com.
“I think it’s due to the Moto2 race, about the Moto2 rubber.
““I didn’t see any piece of tarmac missing on the track, but what is true is that one piece of tarmac hits my finger.
“Ask my finger if you could feel the stones flying up in turns 11 and 12 – one hit me. It happened at the start of the race.
“It didn’t stop me from going faster, but it bothered me because I brake with that finger.”
Rins wasn’t the only rider who was affected, as Alex Marquez branded the conditions as “dangerous” after suffering bruises from being hit by stones.
Alex Rins: Brazil MotoGP race ‘was excellent’ given Yamaha’s capabilities
Despite the pain from his finger injury, Rins picked up two points following his 14th placed finish in Goiania.
Given Yamaha’s struggles, the Spaniard viewed the result as a semi-success as he was able to battle with other riders.
“The race went well. Considering what we’re capable of, it was excellent because we scored two points.” Rins told GPone.
“It’s not the best result, but at least I made some nice passes and battled a bit with the other riders.
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