Rins: “The Austrian track may seem easy, but it isn’t…”

After an incredible rookie performance in his first year in the intermediate class - taking victories and ending the year as runner-up – Alex Rins (Paginas Amarillas HP 40) is once again a frontrunner in his second year. His assault at the Moto2™ title is well underway by halfway through the 2016 season, and the summer break comes to an end with the NeroGiardini Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich – at the new layout of the Red Bull Ring - with Rins keen to get back on track and build on a good start to the season.

"I think overall it is positive,” says the Spaniard of the first half of the year. “After nine races, to be in second place and 25 points off Zarco is ok, considering that we missed out on points at one race and have not been as consistent as last year. I put together a good run of races at Austin, Jerez and Le Mans, with two wins and a third place."

After a good start, the summer break has given the Moto2™ rider chance to recharge, relax and reload – ready to start the second half of the season and start trying to cut the gap to championship leader Johann Zarco (Ajo Motorsport).

“After the Dutch TT I had a week off on holiday,” says Rins . “Then I went to Austria with the team to test, and since then I've been cycling, riding supermotard and going to the gym. I have not been standing still much."

The next few races in the championship could prove pivotal for the title contender, as the gap to points leader Zarco sees Rins with a deficit of 25 – the same amount of points awarded for a win. So what is Rins’ goal for the next part of the season?

"I come into the second part of the season stronger than ever."

"Consistency,” says the Spaniard. “I come into the second part of the season stronger than ever, because I have been training very hard to reach the target we set at the beginning of the year: the Moto2 title. We have some circuits that I like a lot coming up, which are especially good for me: MotorLand Aragon, Misano and Phillip Island. The short-term goal should be to take victories at the tracks where we have a good chance of doing so."

The Austrian GP is the first port of call for the paddock as the second half of the season begins, with none of the Moto2™ grid having raced at the new layout and testing the only indication as to the hand the circuit will deal.

"The Austrian track may seem an easy one, but it isn’t,” warns Rins. “We were testing there almost two weeks ago and we saw that it is a very fast circuit, where I think it is not difficult to set a certain lap time - but lowering it is difficult. Until we start the Grand Prix we won’t know what it will really be like to ride there, because a test is not the same as a race weekend."

In terms of style, does Rins think he will be able to unlock the secrets of the Red Bull Ring?

"I think so. It has fast corners that I like a lot, but at the same time it is a short circuit -and that will make it more difficult to lower lap times."

The Austrian GP at the Red Bull Ring – Spielberg sees Rins back on track on Friday 12th August, as Free Practice begins the quest for another 25 point haul.