Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) took his first MotoGP™ podium in a race packed full of drama at the Gran Premio Motul de la Republica Argentina. Rins finished just 2.501 seconds off eventual race winner Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol), with this rostrum taking his tally of Gran Prix podiums up to 41.
The 22-year-old was clearly ecstatic with the result, pulling a huge wheelie over the line after a race long battle with Jack Miller (Alma Pramac Racing), Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) and Crutchlow. Rins was full of praise for his Suzuki Ecstar team after the race.
WOW! WHAT A RACE!
— Team SUZUKI ECSTAR (@suzukimotogp) April 8, 2018
P3 for @Rins42! ????????????????????#ArgentinaGP @MotoGP #SUZUKing pic.twitter.com/2P6Z0B8p23
“I have no words to describe this podium, I am very happy, thanks to the team as they did a really good job in Japan over the winter,” the number 42 explained. “Before the start I was so nervous with all the start delays and everything. Just in the last lap, I ran off a little bit on turn 7 and I was thinking maybe Miller was on the back and I push to the limit and finally we came home third so I’m very very happy.”
The Suzuki star will be back on track when the MotoGP™ paddock heads north to the Circuit of The Americas, with the action kicking off on Friday 19th of April.