Alex Rins qualifies 15th in France

Le Mans’ varying track temperatures caused difficulties for many riders during Saturday’s session, with crashes and errors dominating proceedings.

FP3 saw temperatures ranging from 12c to 25c over the lap, meaning riders had to adapt fast to the changing conditions and focus on keeping heat in their tyres. This made it difficult for anyone to improve, despite the Team SUZUKI ECSTAR riders hoping to secure direct passage to Q2. Alex Rins worked hard to improve, and was able to do so, but when the chequered flag flew he just missed out on Q2 pace.

Rins, who suffered a crash without consequences during FP4, started Q1 with the medium-soft combo and began to improve further, staying close to the top three and briefly placing himself in the top two. But unfortunately his best time of 1:32.401, just +0.583 from the top, left him 15th on the closely packed grid.

Alex Rins:
“I was a bit surprised to miss out on Q2, I had expected to get there. But everyone is very close and the margins are small. In general we have a good rhythm, we just need to improve the ‘one lap’ pace. Anyway, for tomorrow’s race I will try to make a good start and try to overtake as quickly as possible. Together with the team I have set a target of Top 10, and I will try to do all I can to achieve that. In the last few races I have crashed, but whilst fighting with the front group, so I have been happy to be able to aim for the win. I need to work more to be back in that position.”