Alex Rins spoke about looking for a ride in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship for the 2027 campaign during his media debrief ahead of the German GP. The Spanish rider is confirmed to be leaving his factory Yamaha seat at the end of the year, with the Japanese brand going for an all-new line-up, and the six-time MotoGP race winner appears to be searching for a seat in WorldSBK.
Rins has competed in MotoGP since 2017 when he entered the premier class with Suzuki and remained with the Japanese factory until their withdrawal from the Championship at the end of 2022. He claimed four of his six victories with Suzuki before he moved to LCR Honda for 2023. A victory at COTA was the highlight, and a severe leg break at Mugello derailed his campaign. Despite this, he moved to the factory Yamaha squad for 2024. He has had three years with Yamaha but has been unable to hit the same heights as with Suzuki and Yamaha, taking a best finish of seventh at last year’s Australian Grand Prix.
Now, with MotoGP seats filling fast, and WorldSBK seats starting to be confirmed, Rins appears to have his sights set on World Superbike next year. He said ahead of track action at the Sachsenring: “Honestly no, I don’t have anything in this paddock for next year. We are trying to find something in WorldSBK, but right now, I don't have anything. So, let's try to enjoy these last races. Let's see how we finish, because I would like to finish in a good mood, with good results for my career here in the MotoGP paddock. Honestly these last years in terms of results are not going super well, but let's try to finish in the best way possible.”
Rins was then asked about the sort of package and deal he was looking for in WorldSBK, and whether a multi-year contract was part of his considerations. Rins, who was also asked about a factory contract and said, “I don’t know”, replied: “No, we are just trying to find a good bike. As I said in the previous GP, we are struggling a lot these three years and it's missing a little bit to stay there in the front, to finish on the podium, to fight for big positions.”
The other consideration for Rins is there are several MotoGP names who potentially don’t have a seat for next year who could be looking for a ride in WorldSBK, adding to the competition, with Rins also speaking about this as well as the seat that could potentially be vacated by Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati): “Well, apparently there are around four riders that we are not having a seat next year here in MotoGP. For sure they are moving in the same way as me with my manager. As a rider, when you feel competitive with yourself, what you don't want is to step back and to finish your career. So, for sure, this place, this Ducati place, if Bulega came here, it will be a really demanding place, no? But yeah, let's see.”
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