The Heat Proves too Much for Some MotoGP Riders in Thailand

Alex Rins was one of several MotoGP riders that struggled to contend with the conditions at the Thai Grand Prix, admitting his leg was “fully burned”.

The heat not only meant that riders were having to be careful with front tyre pressures, making sure they didn’t dip too low and as a result be at risk of getting a penalty, but it was also the physical effect that was taking its toll.

There were already signs of heat taking its effect on the riders during Saturday’s shorter sprint race as Fabio Di Giannanotonio was forced to retire from the race due to burning. On Sunday it was the turn of Yamaha’s factory rider Rins to struggle with the conditions.

Discussions on Saturday to reduce the Grand Prix distance were held, but the 26-lap race ultimately went ahead as planned. Rins, who was struggling with the conditions as early as lap seven, said post-race that his leg was destroyed due to the heat.

“For sure, it was a physical race, more to handle the heat on the body,” said Rins, who was only 17th. “My leg was destroyed, fully burned. But already in the sprint I felt a little bit [the heat], but from lap seven today I couldn’t handle it.

“I was arriving on the back straight with my leg almost outside [of the bike] to avoid it burning. In the end, the weather condition was a little bit better than yesterday.

“It was a little bit more cloudy and was a bit less warm than yesterday. But for sure, lap after lap, these 1000cc engines, we felt the heat. For sure today was extreme conditions, and also yesterday. I would say more so yesterday than today, but it is what it is.”

Rins’s team-mate Fabio Quartararo, who also struggled in the Grand Prix, was one of the riders advocating for a shorter distance, while Joan Mir also admitted to struggling with the heat on a day where he retired from the Grand Prix due to a crash at the final corner.

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