Rins & Yamaha together in 2024 for a ‘monstrous’ MotoGP

A simple rumour has quickly gained momentum. It appears that the Spaniard has the possibility to become a factory rider once more, switching from the LCR Honda to the Monster Energy Yamaha. The Catalan rider is a step away from the M1, but first he’ll need to complete the current season aboard the RC213 V.

Rins and LCR Honda: great together, but...

OK, right now Alex is recovery physically and emotionally following an accident in the Sprint race at Mugello, one that forced him to sit out the subsequent German and Dutch rounds at the Sachsenring and Assen. But he must be doing well, because his smile remains intact.

Rins remains positive for two reasons, knowing that he can soon race again and aware of the work completed to date. In five championship rounds, or six if we include the Italian GP, #42 has shown to be strong in LCR colours, despite a need to understand the Honda.

Who else has been able to ride the Japanese bike to the podium? Only Marc Marquez in the Sprint at Portimao, and that’s it. While the former Suzuki rider has gone one better, finishing second at Austin on Saturday before winning the Americas race just a day later. And it was no fluke either, the Rins-RC213 V pairing having performed better than the competition. And yet a split now looks to be just around the corner.

Green claw for Rins and factory return in 2024

If you’ve noticed, Rins' hat and helmet already feature the neon green claw that represents sponsor Monster Energy. And it makes you think, because the LCR Castrol Honda team does not share the same branding. Which means that the rider is backed by the brand at a personal level, and has been ever since his Moto3, Moto2 and Suzuki MotoGP days in fact.

A sort of "brand ambassador", and not the only one in the paddock. The Monster Energy Yamaha Factory team shares the same support, hence the aforementioned market operation. To be a manufacturer’s direct representative is the dream of every rider after all, with all the benefits that that brings.

A two-year contract for Alex, with the first year alongside Fabio Quartararo, while 2025...  remains an unknown. The Catalan rider will take the place of Franco Morbidelli, who is in line for a Ducati Desmosedici. Which one? The satellite Pramac or independent VR46 perhaps?