Alex Rins made a huge impression on Suzuki icon Kevin Schwantz and proud Texan with his near flawless ride to a career–first MotoGP victory at the Circuit of the Americas. Schwantz was instrumental in the design of CotA in his home town of Austin and also in passing on some pre-race tips to emerging youngster Rins.
Riding the nimble GSX-RR, 23-year-old Rins brushed aside the late–race surge of master tactician Valentino Rossi.
“When you see guys like Kenny Roberts and Wayne Rainey in the Yamaha garage backing Valentino it is like you are trying to beat God Almighty going up against him,” Schwantz said. “When the 46 is coming back at you, that’s a ton of pressure and Alex was good when it counted, he rode a really smart race.”
Rins, MotoGP, Grand Prix of the Americas 2019.
Rins and Suzuki have been victory contenders since the opening race in Qatar, just awaiting the chance of an open, fast-paced race. That came in Austin with Schwantz advising Rins to be patient and make the most of a late–race move given the Suzuki’s gentleness on tyre wear.
“Alex told me he thought he could keep tyres under the Suzuki better than his rivals so I said remember that, wait until three laps to go and then blitz them,” Schwantz said. “If you’re following someone don’t wait until the last lap because if you make a mistake you’ve got no time to get it back.”
On lap 17 of 20, Rins made his move on Rossi who had controlled the front pace for the previous eight laps and then countered every move from the nine-times champion for a 0.4–second win.
Schwantz Grand Prix Of The Americas, 2018
By Colin Young