---
title: "Alex Rins to ride for Suzuki in 2017"
canonical: "https://readmotorsport.com/2016/06/20/alex-rins-ride-suzuki-2017/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Alex Murray"
section: "MotoGP News"
published: "2016-06-20T19:02:24Z"
modified: "2016-06-20T19:02:24Z"
---

# Alex Rins to ride for Suzuki in 2017

Moto2 rider Alex Rins has signed a deal with Suzuki to ride the GSX-RR machine for the 2017 and 2018 MotoGP seasons.

Rins, who currently leads the Moto2 world championship going into this weekends race at Assen in the Netherlands, has spoken previously about his need for a factory ride in 2017. He had been linked heavily with Herve Poncharal’s Tech 3 squad but has decided instead to move to Factory machinery with Suzuki.

![Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readmotorsport.com/readmotorsport/2016/06/538083166.jpg)

The Spaniard will, therefore, partner Andrea Iannone next season, with Aleix Espargaro departing the team. Espargaro looks likely to be joining Sam Lowes at Aprilia Gresini next season, although he does have some offers from World Superbikes that may mean he departs the class altogether.

Rins made his debut in Moto3 in 2012, at the age of 16. He claimed his first pole position at the second race of his debut season and his first win at the 2013 Grand Prix of the Americas at Austin. After finishing third in a close battle for the Moto3 crown between himself, Maverick Vinales and the late Luis Salom he moved up to the Moto2 class, partnering Salom. He won his first Moto2 race last year at Indianapolis and has had a good start to 2016.