Ecstar factory Suzuki MotoGP rider Alex Rins said that he believes the gusty winds played a part behind his early crash at the Dutch TT in Assen.

Starting from the front row, Rins got off to an absolute flier and was leading in the opening stages of the Dutch GP. It was half way through lap three when Rins tucked the front end of his GSX-RR at De Bult.

When asked how it happened for him, Rins said: “I did a really good start, and I was riding with a lot of confidence. But then, on the exit of turn eight, the front came up a little bit more than usual and then I braked really hard getting into turn nine and I lost the front immediately.

“I think the wind [was a factor], because it was going in front of me. After the wheelie, the front was on the floor. So this isn’t a problem, but then I was braking on the same point and strange crash."

Many believed that Rins had the pace to challenge at the front of the field. Rins believed in his pace, but said it’s now a moot point.

“I am convinced in our pace to be able to follow Maverick [Vinales] to fight for the victory or second position,” he said.

“Anyway, the result is like this. We did a good weekend on my side. We lost the chance to win for sure. Our rhythm was nice. Now we will never know if I would win or not, if I was beating Maverick or not.”