Team Suzuki Press Office – October 16
Alex Rins: 1st
Joan Mir: 18th (+ 23.489)
The entire paddock was desperate to get back on track in Australia after the long hiatus caused by the pandemic, and Phillip Island didn’t disappoint as it offered up one of the most thrilling races of the season – one which gave Suzuki a superb win in the hands of Alex Rins.
A tense start to the race saw Rins deep in the field but battling through to eighth in the early laps, and before long he set the fastest lap of the race, slotting into fifth place by Lap 6.
His progression continued to impress while the pack closed in around him; for three laps in a row Rins made slick and well-executed passes at the Southern Loop section of the circuit, bringing him into a podium position by the eighth circulation.
On Lap 14 Rins charged to the head of the race, and from there on out he battled hard to both attack and defend. It was far from an easy task with just 1.8 seconds covering the first 10 riders, but Rins was feeling confident and carrying great corner speed on his GSX-RR. The Suzuki squad held their breath as their rider refused to give up, despite slipping to third with three laps left. Two more sensational passes at the Southern Loop plunged Rins back into the lead before the chequered flag and he took his fourth MotoGP career win – now completing the set having also won here in Moto3 and Moto2.
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