Indonesian MotoGP: 'Alex, jump!' - Rins in hot seat with bike in flames

Alex Rins found himself in the hot seat at Mandalika on Saturday, when his Suzuki GSX-RR burst into flames during MotoGP final practice.
Alex Rins, Indonesian MotoGP, 18 March 2022
Alex Rins, Indonesian MotoGP, 18 March 2022
© Gold and Goose

Initially unaware of the engine issue when it caused him to run wide at Turn 10, Rins r🧜e-joined the track action until again feeling the rear tyre slide and this time spotting the fast-growing flames.

Trying to slow his bike as quickly as possib🌌le while keeping his feet out of the fire, the Spaniard abandoned ship on the entry to 💮Turn 13.

 


 


 

 

"There was a problem with the ꧃tube where the oil goes," Rins explained. "In corner 10 I had a small rear slide. I looked down at my boots and the tyre but everything was normal so I continued pushing.

"Then in the next corner I lost it again. So I ไwent out of the line, first for my s♔afety and the safety of the others.

"Then when I saw the bike on fire it was a scary moment because what went into my head was 'Alex, jump' because maybe the bike will explode. So it was not a good moment. B༒ut I'm okay."

Johann Zarco fell on the oil but, like Rins, 🍬was able to re-join the session after a red-flag period to clean the track.

Suzuki said that the cause of the oil leak is still unclear. Sꦯome other bikes have suffered stone damage this weekend.

Track cleaning after Alex Rins oil spill, Indonesian MotoGP, 19 March 2022
Track cleaning after Alex Rins oil spill, Indonesian MotoGP, 19 March 2022
© Gold and Goose

Rin🌳s went on to qualify as the top ꦰSuzuki in eighth place, with team-mate Joan Mir down in 18th.

"Difficult𝔉," was the word Rins used to describe Sunday's race, "for the conditions, for the heat, for the tyre management. It will👍 be so hard!

"Overtaking will also be difficult because it's only one line and there are not many places to pass. So all the overtakes will be 🍌ve♌ry close with the other riders.

"We need to start well𓆏 and be as far to the front as possible at the first corner."

The g🀅ood news is that Rins' physically conditio🏅n has at least improved after battling sickness on Friday.

"I'm feeling more power in my body, now the problem I have is in the stomach, let's see if the ch💟icken and rice helps me tonight!" he smil♈ed.

Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has seen Valentino Ro൩ssi come and go. He is at the forefront of the Suzuki exit story and🤡 Marc Marquez’s injury issues.

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