Marco Bezzecchi
Alex Rins says he texted Scott Redding ‘right away’ after the former MotoGP rider’s strong criticism on a recent podcast appearance.
Redding said Rins’ Spanish passport had kept him on the MotoGP grid despite injuries and ‘inconsistent’ form, even if he still regards him as a ‘good rider’.
Rins is approaching 150 starts in the premier class, with six wins and 18 podiums to his name so far. He confirmed ahead of the Spanish GP that he would be leaving the Yamaha setup when his contract expires at the end of the year.
‘I respect his opinion’ – Alex Rins on Scott Redding comments
Rins was asked about Redding’s remarks in an interview with GPOne and revealed that he immediately texted his former rival.
Redding raced in the premier class between 2014 and 2018, finishing on the podium twice. Rins made his debut in 2017.
Are there too many Spanish riders on the MotoGP grid?
He decided not to enter a war of words, instead stating that he respects Redding’s opinion. Over a third of the riders on the current MotoGP grid are Spanish.
“It was unexpected,” said Rins. “I was in bed with my phone, and when I saw what he said, I texted him right away. It’s his opinion, I respect it, but I don’t agree with it, and I won’t waste time going into the merits.”
It’s believed that MotoGP bosses want to diversify the grid for commercial reasons, though they are of course unable to block teams from signing riders on nationality grounds alone.
Alex Rins says ‘people forget you’ if you don’t ride a Ducati or an Aprilia
Rins says only Ducati and Aprilia riders can truly shine in the current competitive landscape. KTM’s Pedro Acosta (fourth) is the only rider in the top nine from outside those two manufacturers.
Yamaha are firmly at the bottom of the pecking order, having slipped further off the pace after introducing a V4 engine. Rins has only scored three points in the opening four rounds, while the Pramac duo have only combined for one.
Even after a severe leg break in 2023, he still believes he’s the same rider he was at his peak.
- READ MORE: Alex Rins has ignored Yamaha director’s private request from phone call that confirmed 2026 exit
“Last year, if you didn’t have a Ducati you didn’t do anything, and now the Aprilia is doing very well,” he said. “The Ducati seems to have a few more difficulties, but is still competitive.
“However, it seems that if you don’t have that bike, people forget about you. We can’t work magic, we have the bike we have. These have been three difficult years for me, but I’m still the same Alex of the past, the one who won races and achieved podiums.”
Rins is in talks with Trackhouse over a 2027 seat, potentially setting up a seat swap with Ai Ogura. If that move doesn’t come off, he may be forced to race elsewhere instead.
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