until Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League
Alex Rins has been formally announced at the LCR Honda team for the 2023 MotoGP season.
The deal is part of a two-year contract agreement between Rins, the team and Honda Racing Corporation.
Rins will replace Alex Marquez – who has signed for the Gresini Ducati squad after two years at LCR – in Lucio Cecchinello’s satellite team. He is expected to be partnered by a rookie in Ai Ogura.
Rins became a free agent for the 2023 season when it emerged in May that Suzuki was planing to leave MotoGP. It finally agreed the terms of its exit with series promoter Dorna last week.
“I am very happy to be joining the LCR Honda team,” said Rins.
“Changing team and bike is a challenge but I am ready to give my 100% and to put into practice everything that I’ve learnt during my years in the MotoGP class.
“Lucio and Honda’s trust have been crucial for me in deciding to take on this challenge with this factory in 2023 and 2024. I would like to thank them for this opportunity.”
Speaking at the Dutch TT at Assen earlier this month where his deal for 2023 was “almost done”, Rins said he wanted to contribute to a Suzuki-like MotoGP turnaround for Honda, which has endured a difficult season.
“I am delighted to announce that Alex Rins will be the LCR Honda Castrol rider in 2023,” added Cecchinello.
“We’ve just finished signing the contract, all three parties, so we are finally able to announce it. Rins is an experienced rider, a fast rider and a podium finisher.
“This wealth of experience, coupled with Rins’s ability to give the precise suggestions to his technicians, as I’ve heard, will surely help us to improve our bike package, aiming to fight for more podiums.”
