Álex Rins has revealed he was struck by a piece of loose asphalt during the Brazilian Grand Prix, adding to mounting concerns over track safety at the Goiânia circuit.
The incident occurred during the race when debris was thrown up by bikes ahead of him. Rins said a fragment of tarmac hit his finger, leaving him with a minor injury, though he was able to continue and finish the race.
Despite the scare, Rins escaped with only bruising, but the episode highlighted the unpredictable and potentially dangerous conditions riders faced throughout the weekend.
The Spanish rider also pointed to a noticeable lack of grip on race day. He suggested that heavy track usage from earlier sessions, particularly Moto2, may have contributed to the surface deterioration rather than clearly visible damage in specific areas.
Rins ultimately finished as the leading Yamaha rider, but well outside the front-running positions, underlining how difficult conditions were for the field.
The Brazilian Grand Prix had already been shortened due to concerns over track integrity, with multiple riders reporting issues caused by breaking asphalt and low grip levels. Incidents like the one involving Rins have further intensified scrutiny on the circuit’s readiness for top-level competition.
His experience was not isolated. Other riders also reported being hit by debris during the race, reinforcing calls for improvements ahead of MotoGP’s planned return to Brazil.
While Rins managed to avoid serious injury, the situation has raised broader questions about safety standards and the challenges of maintaining consistent track conditions under extreme race demands.
