Surprise! Alex Rins Scores Ice Rally Podium Ahead of MotoGP 2026

MotoGP, Sportrik Media – Yamaha rider Alex Rins has caught attention ahead of the MotoGP 2026 season after scoring a podium in an ice rally event in Andorra, a four wheel competition that tests precision, throttle control and car balance on extremely low grip surfaces.

Rins competed in the GSeries at the Circuit Andorra, a permanent ice track in the Pyrenees, alongside top rally drivers including Junior WRC and WRC3 champion Nil Solans. Despite coming from two wheel racing, Rins adapted quickly and finished third overall in the event.

Posting on Instagram, Rins described the experience as intense and technically demanding, highlighting how even the smallest throttle or steering input can change the behaviour of the car on ice. His podium result was a notable achievement given the level of specialist rally talent present.

The result comes after a difficult 2025 season for Rins with Yamaha. He finished 19th in the world championship with just 68 points, his best result being seventh at the Australian Grand Prix. He ended the year more than 100 points behind team mate Fabio Quartararo, who placed ninth in the standings with 201 points after securing several sprint and grand prix podiums.

Yamaha enters 2026 in the middle of a major technical transition, preparing to race its all new V4 MotoGP machine. The new bike was introduced in limited wildcard outings late last year by Augusto Fernandez, and is expected to play a key role in Yamaha’s attempt to return to the front of the grid.

Rins was not the only Grand Prix rider sharpening his skills away from the track. Reigning Moto2 world champion and incoming LCR Honda rider Diogo Moreira competed in the TT Christmas 2026 at Rocco’s Ranch near the Circuit de Barcelona Catalunya, where the event raised more than 30,000 euros for charity and Moreira took victory.

Both Rins and Moreira are expected to be on track at the Sepang Shakedown from January 29 to 31, a session open to rookies, test riders and manufacturers in concession rank D, which includes Yamaha, as preparations intensify ahead of the 2026 MotoGP season at https://sportrik.com/en.