MotoGP Video Interview: Alex Rins and Andrea Iannone
Rennie Scaysbrook | January 29, 2017
The two new Suzuki MotoGP riders speak ahead of this week’s preseason test in Malaysia
The Suzuki Ecstar MotoGP team took the wraps off their new bikes and riders in a special ceremony in Malaysia ahead of the first preseason test at Sepang, starting Monday, January 30.
It’s an all-new look for the team, with Andrea Iannone departing Ducati to replace Maverick Vinales and class debutant Alex Rins replacing fellow Spaniard Aleix Espargaro.
“I’m really happy to start this new adventure!” said Iannone. “Suzuki for me has always been an icon of motorcycle racing and I hope to gain the affection of fans and enthusiasts as the great riders who have been part of the history of this great team! The coming season is a big challenge, but at the same a huge motivation for me after some years riding for the same brand. This change of direction in my career is so stimulating and I’m eager to return Suzuki with all the interest and affection they have demonstrated to me. I look forward to kicking-off the new season with the new blue colors and do my best to try to achieve the best results possible for the team!”
Rins was also beaming ahead of the toughest career move of his life, saying, “The main objective of any rider in the world is to reach the MotoGP category because it is the maximum expression of motorcycling. Then doing it with the hand of Suzuki is the best way I could ever have imagined. The team is amazing at the very first sight and the treatment they have given me since the first minute is fantastic. The bike is awesome as well so I am very pleased, very motivated and very grateful to Suzuki for the trust placed in me. It’s going to be a fantastic year in which we will learn a lot and that’s our main goal from the beginning. The Valencia accident was a setback in our plans, but we are working very hard to counteract it. I’m looking forward to getting back on my Suzuki GSX-RR and meeting my new ‘family’ in the box.”
Check out the full interviews below right here.
Andrea Iannone
Alex Rins