Ecstar Suzuki's Alex Rins is targeting one or more MotoGP victories in the 2019 season as he counts down to the MotoGP season opener in Qatar this weekend.
The young Spaniard has already tasted podium cava with Suzuki in the blue riband class but after showing serious pace in testing, he is ready to take on the top boys.
“Arriving for the Qatar GP is always very emotional because we can finally get into ‘race mode’ and blow away the winter cobwebs," said Rins.
"The winter tests were positive, we found good improvements on the GSX-RR and I really enjoyed riding, but the race is something different and I definitely miss the adrenaline of nights out on the start grid.
"I’m very happy about how the bike has improved, the Suzuki engineers and technicians did a great job over the winter and I found positive feelings.
The team have turned the GSX-RR upside down over the winter with new engine specifications and chassis have proved to be effective, as well as the electronics package which has also been upgraded.
"Of course we still need to refine some things, and we still have some margins for development, in MotoGP the racing and development side is a never-ending challenge and we will work hard in all the sessions during every race weekend.
"Last year we ended the season in good shape, with many podiums, and the feeling that we can really go for the big prize.
"This is the objective that we’ve set for this season, to further improve our competitiveness and consistently put ourselves around the top of the sheets, trying to get one – or more – victories.”
