LCR Honda has confirmed that Alex Rins will join its ranks for the 2023 MotoGP season, the Spaniard signing a two-year contract with the squad.
Current Suzuki rider Rins has been rumoured for some time to take over the satellite Honda berth – effectively a third factory RC213-V machine – from Alex Marquez, the deal thought to be all but sorted after current rider Alex Marquez announced a deal to join the Gresini Ducati outfit at Assen last month.
Rins was left high-and-dry after Suzuki announced it would be quitting MotoGP at the end of the 2022 season, the three-time premier class race winner initially thought to be potentially spearheading the new RNF Aprilia partnership before setting his sights on joining Honda.
LCR announced the news on Tuesday morning, Rins enthusing that he is “very happy” to join the Honda fold for at least the next two years.
“I am very happy to be joining the LCR Honda Team,” said Rins on his new HRC deal.
“Changing team and bike is a challenge but I am ready to give my 100% and to put into practice everything that I’ve learnt during my years in the MotoGP class.
“Lucio (Ceccinello) and Honda’s trust have been crucial for me in deciding to take on this challenge with this factory, I would like to thank them for this opportunity.”
LCR team founder and boss Lucio Ceccinello added that he is “delighted” to capture the talented Rins for his teams 2023 premier class campaign, the Italian reckoning Rins’ extensive experience working with Suzuki’s factory organisation can assist with “improving our bike package.”
“I am delighted to announce that Álex Rins will be the LCR Honda CASTROL rider in 2023,” said Ceccinello.
“We’ve just finished signing the contract, all 3 parties, so we are finally able to announce it.
“Rins is an experienced rider, a fast rider and a podium finisher.
“This wealth of experience, coupled with Rins’ ability to give the precise suggestions to his technicians, as I’ve heard, will surely help us to improve our bike package, aiming to fight for more podiums.”
Rins currently sits ninth in the 2022 riders standings having scored two rostrums in the opening four encounters on his GSX-RR, though his title hopes took a grave hit after he failed to score in five of the six previous races, a disastrous run of form that began at Jerez just as Suzuki announced its upcoming departure.
The Spaniard looks set to join countryman and Suzuki team-mate Joan Mir within the Honda operation going forward, the 2020 MotoGP world champion set to replace Pol Espargaro at Honda’s factory team next season.
Glad Rins will remain in Moto GP.
Rins is an awesome rider that gives it 100% every weekend .
Tragic news that Suzuki will leave at the end of this season. I hope some day they make their way back…even if it’s in a hybrid venture.
Joan Mirs on a Honda will be a handful alongside Marquez. Good luck to both Suzuki old boys in ventures new. Hopefully the team members including mechanic, logistics, designers & catering staff will find employment elsewhere within MotoGP.