Alex Rins (Paginas Amarillas HP 40) had cut the title deficit to one point ahead of the flyaways, but a difficult few races saw Johann Zarco (Ajo Motorsport) able to lift the crown in Malaysia in difficult, drying conditions. Rins, who started the race from P23 on the grid, put in a good fight back through the field to finish 14th, but struggled once the track was drier to find the same feeling – as Zarco was clear at the front, and won the race.
With the title now taken, Rins’ focus shifts to Valencia and the last race of the year, as he fights to take the runner-up spot from Garage Plus Interwetten’s Tom Luthi.
Alex Rins (P14): “I want to congratulate Zarco and his team for the title – he’s been very consistent throughout the season and he deserves it. We had a difficult race starting from so far back but I felt comfortable on the bike and confident in the full wet conditions. When it started to dry out, I lost all feeling and I couldn’t go quick. Now, we head home to Valencia for the last race of the year, where we’ll fight to become runner-up in the Championship.”
Una lástima, pero quiero felicitar a Johann por su temporada. A darlo todo en Valencia #AR42 I want to congratulate Johann for his season pic.twitter.com/8FwOgCuLTu
— Alex Rins (@Rins42) 30 October 2016