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Rins to Step Away from Motorcycle Racing After MotoGP Exit
Confirmed
In Short: Rins, a former championship contender, will end his grand prix career at the end of the year, focusing instead on car racing.
Rins, a former championship contender in MotoGP, has announced his decision to step away from motorcycle racing at the end of the year, focusing instead on car racing. The 30-year-old, who had a real championship shot in 2020 before a bad leg injury and a subsequent move to Yamaha derailed his career, has been linked with a move to WorldSBK but has ruled out that possibility. According to reports, Rins found 'something that motivates him more' and is pursuing a different project, though he has not yet announced the details.
The MotoGP title race remains tight, with the top three split by just 24 points. Marc Marquez, looking to reduce his deficit to Jorge Martin, lands in Misano, a circuit where he has six victories, including two in the last two years. Meanwhile, Enea Bastianini and Brad Binder are set to compete at Misano, with Bastianini aiming for a repeat of his debut MotoGP podium from 2021.
Rins' decision comes after several months of speculation about his future in MotoGP. His move to LCR Honda and victory at the Americas GP in his third race with the team were highlights of his recent career. The MotoGP season continues with Misano, where the championship contenders will face a challenging weekend.
Trackhouse MotoGP rider Ai Ogura will miss the San Marino GP due to injury, while Nicolo Bulega will move to MotoGP in 2027. Additionally, MotoGP veteran Jack Miller will join the World Superbike Championship next year, replacing Xavi Vierge. The details of MotoGP 2027 pre-season testing with new 850cc bikes and Pirelli tyres are also on the horizon.
What's confirmed
- Who fancies two more European blockbusters before the flyaway stretch of the season begins?
- A Misano podium would be very much welcomed from the Italian, who needs some big results soon if he’s going to drag himself back into serious title contention. 48 points is the gap from Martin to Di Giannantonio, with Ai Ogura (SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team) now 53 away from the championship lead after his hand injury ruled the Japanese star out of MotorLand.
- Meanwhile, Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3) lands at Misano – a circuit ‘The Beast’ won at in 2024 and bagged a debut MotoGP podium at in 2021 – from a P8 finish in Aragon, while Brad Binder’s (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) Sunday P10 didn’t tell the full tale after the South African was shuffled down to P20 at beginning of the Grand Prix and shot back up the order.
- We certainly do, and good job too – because that’s exactly what MotoGP has in store in the next two weeks.
- The tantalising MotoGP title race took a couple more twists last time out in Aragon, and it means we land at Misano with the top three in the championship split by a slender 24 points – and that includes one of the home heroes this weekend, Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing).
- We’ll come onto Bez and Aprilia shortly, but after a 37-point haul weekend on a happy hunting ground, Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) lands in enemy territory looking to reduce his 19-point deficit to World Championship leader Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) further.
- Now, while Misano isn’t necessarily considered a MM93 stranglehold, Marquez does boast six MotoGP victories at the circuit – including two in the last two years.
What's still developing
- Ultimately, the 30-year-old found "something that motivates me more" - and while he's not ready to announce it yet, the way he phrased it (and subsequent conversation with the Spanish-language media) suggests his immediate future is in some form of car racing instead.
- But maybe there's a silver lining for him, Ducati, and even the championship itself The Aragon MotoGP weekend has exposed fresh tension between Yamaha and its Honda-bound star Fabio Quartararo The Race started in February 2020 as a digital-only motorsport channel.
- But Rins never sounded totally sold on the idea of moving over and has now confirmed he has declined the offer.
- Originally constructed in 1957 in Monterey, California when the Pebble Beach Road Races required a safer course, the track is known for hosting a variety of top-tier racing events from sports cars to motorcycles, to numerous community events.
- Set against a scenic backdrop, it attracts motorsports enthusiasts from around the world and has become an iconic venue in the world of competitive racing.