Álex Rins’ stint at LCR Honda was brief. After just one season, during which he was absent for long months due to injury, he departed to join Monster Energy Yamaha in 2024. The contract was terminated after one of the two planned years, but this possibility was foreseen in the agreement.
Lucio Cecchinello, owner of LCR Honda, explained, as quoted on Motosan.es, that Yamaha was always the only possibility for Rins to eventually leave:
– Álex had a two-year contract with HRC [Honda Racing Corporation], which only allowed him to leave if he received an offer from an official MotoGP team. His manager was always very honest and said to me: «The only option would be to go to Yamaha». Because all the other teams didn’t have a place, while in Yamaha, [Franco] Morbidelli’s future was uncertain.
Rins’ move to Yamaha was finalized in the summer, and by August, LCR Honda had already hired his successor—Johann Zarco, who also holds a direct contract with HRC.