Rins races to another top six finish in Thailand

Spaniard follows up two consecutive P4s with a P6 in Buriram to continue his good run of form

Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) has hit a good run of form as we enter the latter stage of the season, claiming a hard-earned P6 at the PTT Thailand Grand Prix after securing two consecutive P4s in Misano and Aragon respectively.

Earlier this season, the Spaniard signed a new two-year deal with the Hamamatsu factory: a partnership that is now beginning to look a real threat at every race. Thailand was no different and despite a tough qualifying in P11, Rins was able to claw his way up to P6 by the chequered flag – Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) denying him a top-five finish.

“Well I think it was an incredible race,” commented Rins. “I pushed a lot from the beginning to try and reduce the gap to the first group, but I lost a lot of time fighting with the other riders. Not with Pedrosa but with the others. Anyway, I think I pushed hard at the beginning and I destroyed the tyres a little bit. Then I was trying to keep my pace, trying to be there, P5, P6 with Zarco but finally P6. So I think it was a good race.”

Alex Rins, Team Suzuki Ecstar, Danilo Petrucci, Alma Pramac Racing, PTT Thailand Grand Prix

A home race now beckons for Suzuki as the Twin Ring Motegi plays host to Round 16. With just four races remaining in 2018, the 22-year-old is targeting a podium in Japan as he and the team aim to finish a great season – which has seen Rins claim two podiums - fighting up the sharp end.

“For sure, we are going good races since the middle of the Championship. We arrive in Japan with a lot of expectations, trying to fight for the podium. We will give our 100%.”

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