Suzuki MotoGP racing team ropes in Alex Rins for 2017 and 2018

Alex Rins will join Andrea Iannone in Team Suzuki Ecstar’s MotoGP campaign for 2017 and 2018. Having replaced both its riders, Suzuki will now enter the 2017 MotoGP season with an all-new rider line-up. 

Alex Rins might not have any major racing titles under his belt (his last championship win was in the 2011 CEV 125cc series in Spain), Team Suzuki Ecstar has been impressed by the 20-year-old Spaniard’s career in the junior ranks. He has been in the top five in Moto3 from 2012 to 2014, and has had a good run in the subsequent Moto2 championships. Alex is currently leading the Moto2 championship with an eight point lead over future Aprilia Gresini rider - Sam Lowes.

Alex replaces Aleix Espargaro as Team Suzuki Ecstar’s second rider. Espargaro has been with Suzuki since the company got back into MotoGP in the 2015 season. While Maverick Vinales moved to Yamaha Movistar to make room for Iannone, Espargaro is now expected to take the second seat at Aprilia Gresini.