Alex Rins (Yamaha) makes it clear: “I won’t be moving to the World Superbike Championship”

At his home Grand Prix in Aragon, Alex Rins finished 12th and 13th. He got the most out of his bike; after all, he managed to score three World Championship points in the Grand Prix. On the Spanish circuit, he was at a disadvantage on the Yamaha M1 – particularly on the long straights.

This weekend, the MotoGP World Championship is visiting the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli. The circuit on the Italian Adriatic coast differs greatly from the one at MotorLand Aragon. “On this track, power is perhaps not as important as it is in Aragon, where there are long straights,” mused Alex Rins at Thursday’s media session. “We need to find a good balance on the bike between corner entry and acceleration. There are lots of slow, technical corners here where you have to hit the right line.”

Team-mate Fabio Quartararo once again gave free rein to his frustration in Aragon. The Frenchman no longer wants to spend the entire race weekend doing test work for Yamaha. Unlike Quartararo, Rins has a different way of dealing with frustration – he doesn’t show it outwardly.

“Every rider has their own personality and their own way of channelling their anger. But sometimes it’s not easy when you’re riding at 350 km/h, then go straight to a media session and have to stay calm,” smiled the 30-year-old. “I, too, often get angry and pissed off. I try to channel that – it’s something I’ve worked on with my psychologist for many years.”

There has been some news this week regarding the rider market. Franco Morbidelli has officially left VR46 Racing and his successor, Nicolo Bulega, has been confirmed. Jack Miller will ride for Yamaha in the World Superbike Championship next year. And KTM ace Brad Binder will compete for BMW in the production-based World Championship in 2027.

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2027 MotoGP grid: Almost a quarter of the riders are new – implications for SBK

The 2027 MotoGP grid will feature five new regular riders, with at least three of those dropped set to move to the World Superbike Championship. The ones to suffer as a result are Alvaro Bautista and Danilo Petrucci.

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Misano: International Livestream

MotoGP World Championship

11.09.2026 - 08:55

Why Alex Rins won’t be moving to the World Superbike Championship in 2027

When will there be news about Alex Rins’ future? “I’m not going to announce it here,” he smiled. “But I won’t be moving to the World Superbike Championship next year. I’ve got some very interesting projects in mind. But I can’t say anything about them yet because it’s not 100 per cent confirmed. I’m happy – but it was difficult to make a decision. I’ve been in the MotoGP World Championship my whole life. I’ve experienced many battles, races and victories in this championship. It’s been 14 years.”

In the World Superbike Championship, he could have joined Go Eleven Ducati, for example, but not a factory team. “I had two options there. I’d like to thank everyone, as they were very interested in me,” said the Spaniard. “But I’ve found something else that appeals to me more.” Alex Rins also said that his preferred option isn’t in the GP paddock. This rules out a job as a MotoGP test rider for him.