Alex Rins will leave motorcycle racing at the end of the 2026 season and make the switch to four-wheel racing in 2027, bringing an end to a 14-year journey in the MotoGP World Championship.
The six-time Grand Prix winner confirmed his decision ahead of the San Marino Grand Prix, following Yamaha’s decision earlier this season not to retain him in its MotoGP programme beyond the current 1000cc era.
The 30-year-old has yet to reveal his next destination, but Rins confirmed that his future lies away from two wheels and hinted at an exciting long-term project in car racing.
“I will not go to a superbike next year,” Rins said.
“As I told you some races ago, I have a really good, really interesting project in mind that I can’t reveal because it’s not done 100%.”
Rins admitted that the decision was not easy after spending virtually his entire professional career in motorcycle racing.
“I spent all my life in MotoGP, in this championship, with many fights, many races and many wins. Fourteen years, more or less, across all classes. So, I will stop with the two wheels.”
The Spaniard revealed that he had received opportunities to continue competing in the World Superbike Championship, but another project ultimately proved more appealing.
“I had two possibilities there in WSBK. I really want to say thanks to them because they were quite interested in me. But I found another thing that really motivates me more.”
Rins’ MotoGP career began with Suzuki in 2017 after an impressive junior career that saw him finish runner-up in both the Moto3 and Moto2 World Championships.
Across 10 seasons in the premier class, Rins collected six victories and 18 podium finishes, with the majority of his success coming during his time with Suzuki.
His move to LCR Honda in 2023 immediately produced another highlight, as he secured a memorable victory at the United States Grand Prix in only his third race for the team.
However, his campaign was badly disrupted by a serious leg injury suffered at Mugello, forcing him to miss much of the remainder of the season.
Rins subsequently joined Yamaha, but his three-year spell with the factory team has failed to produce the results he had hoped for, with Yamaha’s struggles and the lasting impact of his injury contributing to a difficult period.
The Spaniard acknowledged that the uncertainty surrounding his future had led him to seriously question whether he wanted to continue racing motorcycles.
“I’ve asked myself a lot whether I’m sad to quit, whether to continue or not, whether to change championships.”
Despite his decision, Rins believes he can look back on his motorcycle career with pride.
“I have to be satisfied with what I’ve achieved. It’s been 14 years here in the MotoGP World Championship. There have been many victories and battles in the best sense of the word.”
Rins also highlighted the opportunity he had to fight for World Championship titles in all three Grand Prix categories.
“I’ve fought for championships in Moto3, Moto2 and MotoGP. I haven’t won them all, but I’ve had the opportunity to fight for the title in all three categories.”
Although he is closing the door on full-time motorcycle racing, Rins does not intend to completely walk away from motorsport.
The Spaniard said he could potentially return to motorcycle racing in a limited role in the future, similar to former MotoGP rider Cal Crutchlow.
“What I can’t do is, after so many years, shut the whole thing down completely. The world of motorsports is my life.”
Rins has already developed an interest in four-wheel activities away from the MotoGP paddock, including modifying his Jeep, driving in the desert and competing on ice.
“During these years as a professional motorcycle racer, I’ve been doing things with cars. I’ve customised my Jeep and gone out into the desert with a friend; I’ve raced on ice. It’s in our blood.”
As Rins prepares to embark on a completely new chapter, Yamaha will also enter 2027 with a transformed MotoGP line-up.
With Rins departing and Fabio Quartararo moving to Honda, Yamaha’s factory team will feature an all-new pairing of Jorge Martin and Ai Ogura next season.
For Rins, however, the next destination is beyond MotoGP — and beyond two wheels — as the six-time Grand Prix winner prepares to begin an entirely new chapter in four-wheel racing.
Credit Photo : Yamaha MotoGP
