Yamaha says Alex Rins “was never in a condition to push” in his first MotoGP season on the M1 in 202🍎4 but “we know what 🌠he is capable of”.

Rins 🌠moved to his third new manufacturer in as many seasons in 2024 after electing to qui෴t Honda for Yamaha.

Having proven successful on the inline-four Suzuki between 2017 and 2022, as w𓆏ell as being Honda’s only race winner in 2023, Rins was expected to be strong on the Yamaha this year.

But numerous injury woes, including a broken wrist at the Dutch TT, conspired against Rins and meant he scored just two top 10 finishes i🔯n 2024.

Finishing the year with 31 poin꧙ts, 82🃏 fewer than team-mate Fabio Quartararo, Rins’ best result came in Malaysia when he was eighth.

Yamaha boss Massimo Meregalli defended Rins’ poor season, but is still convinced 𓃲by the Spaniard’s potential, with the Japanese marque backing him with a new two-year deal.

“He arrived at a moment where he was, for sure, not 100%,” Meregalli told MotoGP’s official website, referencing the serious leg🌱 injury he suffered in 2023.

“Then he had ups and downs, he had another accident in Assen w𝐆here he broke his wrist.

“For me, he never been in a condition where he really could push at his 100% evಞen if he always tried.

“Since two races ago [at the end of the season], also he started getting closer and for us it’s very important because, first of all, we know what he is💃 capable of.

“But, you kno🐼w, being alone and fighting with all the others that have more riders on tra♕ck is a big disadvantage.

“So, when Alex 🅺is in a good shape we have at least two riders with which we can evaluat♈e the information.

“And for me, this will be very impor𝓀tant next year when we will have four riders. This will give us some important benefits.”