The Repsol rider crossed the finish line in second. His team mates Álex Márquez and Francesco Bagnaia, finished fourth and fifth, respectively.
Álex Rins achieved the second position in the new edition of the European Motorcycling Championship that took place today at the Albacete Circuit. The young rider, who led the race during four laps, had an exciting duel with the winner, Italian rider Romano Fenati. Álex Márquez, fourth, and Francesco Bagnaia, fifth, closed the group of five riders that rode on top during the whole race.
At the start, Romano Fenati and Álex Rins already were on the lead. Despite the good start of the Italian —who started from pole position— Rins had an even better start from third place and took the lead of the race when they reached the first corner of the circuit. Behind those two riders, another three quickly joined the fight, Niccolo Antonelli, Francesco Bagnaia and Álex Márquez, forming a group of five that quickly took some advantage over the rest.
The first four laps were led by Álex Rins, followed closely by Romano Fenati. After that, the Italian placed himself in first position with Rins at his wheel and they both were able to build some margin over their three pursuers, Antonelli, Bagnaia and Márquez, who fought for the third position of the Championship. A position that finally went to Niccolo Antonelli in the ninth lap and that he would keep until reaching the chequered flag. In that battle, Álex Márquez finished fourth, in front of his team mate Francesco Bagnaia, fifth.
With the fight for the first position reduced to a duel between Romano Fenati and Álex Rins, it was the Italian who tried to build some margin between them by increasing the pace starting on the seventh lap. Nevertheless, Rins was able to keep the Italian’s pace during most of the race until, six laps before the end, some problems with the back tyre and other riders delaying him set the difference, so Rins was not able to catch Fenati.
Álex Rins >> Audio
2nd at 2.050 sec.
“I am happy with my second position. I had a good start and was able to be on top very early, just on the first corner. I led for the first four laps and then I let Romano [Fenati] pass because I saw the back tyre was wearing too fast. I tried to keep his pace, but the tyre was badly worn and it was impossible. I have to thank the team for the great job they did during the whole weekend and also to all our sponsors”.
Álex Márquez >> Audio
4th at 12.820 sec.
“Today the most important thing was to finish the race and to recover the racing pace after my crash in the last round. During the first laps I felt very comfortable and was able to keep up with the top group, but after a few laps the tyre was very worn and I was not able to ride fast. If I had pushed more I would have crashed again. When I saw that the tyres were so bad I tried to finish fourth. I am not very happy but I was able to recover my confidence. I want to thank the team for their hard work the last days, because they made me recover the good feeling with the bike. I hope I will be able to be back to the battle for victory in Valencia, which is a circuit I like a lot”.
Francesco Bagnaia >> Audio
5th at 20.213 sec.
“I did not have a good start. In the first corner I was fourth, but after two laps I was able to get the third place. Some laps later the tyres started to wear very quickly and I was not able to take risks. I fell to fifth position and I was not able to do anything else, because the tyres condition would not allow me. I have to thank all the team to let me compete here this weekend and to be able to find a perfect setup for the race. The next race will surely be better”.
