A fascinating MotoGP revelation! Alex Rins, the Yamaha rider, has shared an intriguing story about his career path. Imagine, he could have been racing for Gresini Ducati in 2023 after Suzuki's sudden exit from MotoGP. But here's the twist: he chose Honda instead.
When Suzuki announced their withdrawal early in the 2022 season, Rins, a six-time MotoGP race winner, was on the verge of renewing his contract. This left him and his world champion teammate, Joan Mir, scrambling for options in a tight market.
Both ended up with Honda, with Rins signing a factory deal with LCR. However, his journey with Honda was not without challenges. He won the 2023 Americas Grand Prix but later left for Yamaha, citing a lack of support from HRC and an injury-plagued campaign.
In a recent interview, Rins revealed he had an offer from Gresini to ride a year-old Ducati. That opportunity eventually went to Alex Marquez, who was replaced by Rins at LCR. Rins expressed no regrets, stating, "It seems an easy choice to jump on a Ducati, but with satellite teams lacking independence, it's not that simple."
The decision was influenced by performance concerns, especially after Suzuki's departure. Rins chose LCR Honda over Gresini, attracted by the offer of a factory rider status and the same conditions as Marc Marquez and Joan Mir.
But here's where it gets controversial: had Rins joined Gresini, Marc Marquez might not have followed suit in 2024. At the time, Ducati's success was not guaranteed, especially with satellite riders. In fact, it was only after Alex Marquez's impressive performance with Gresini in 2026 that the team secured a factory bike from Ducati.
And this is the part most people miss: Rins' choice might have impacted Marc Marquez's career trajectory. Marquez has openly stated that staying with Honda could have ended his career prematurely.
So, what do you think? Was Rins' decision to choose Honda over Gresini a wise one? Or do you think he missed out on a potentially game-changing opportunity? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
