Ecstar Suzuki factory MotoGP rider Alex Rins said he was content with his fourth place finish, despite having strong pace all weekend at the Catalan Grand Prix at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

In the top three of a number of sessions over the weekend, many expected Rins and his tyre kind GSX-RR to be a challenger at the front of the race. However, a ragged start from eighth place and being slowed by Jorge Lorenzo’s pile-up left the Spaniard in third, behind Marc Marquez and Danilo Petrucci.

With Marquez clearing off into the distance, the Spaniard was visibly frustrated at not being able to use the strength of his Suzuki to get past the factory Ducati. A big mistake into turn one with five laps to go relegated Rins to sixth place.

After moving past team-mate Joan Mir and Jack Miller, Rins couldn’t work his way back into a podium spot in the final laps.

“I’m a little bit disappointed with my result because I felt I could have a really good result this weekend,” said the Spaniard.

“But on the other hand, considering I had some problems during the race, it’s not a bad result.

“It was a complicated and difficult race and it was a shame to see the crash between Lorenzo and the others, especially as it gave Marquez even more of an advantage.

“The track was very hot, which made it hard on the tyres and I struggled with feeling, especially in the right-hand turns.

“Ideally I would have got a better start and gone with Marc, but in the end it wasn’t possible. Anyway, I’m quite pleased to have finished fourth despite my struggles.”

Rins now finds himself third in the World Championship, just two points behind second placed Andrea Dovizioso after the Italian’s DNF at the expense of Lorenzo. Despite sitting 39 points behind Marquez, Rins is refusing to call the title out of reach just yet.

“Marc is a little further away,” he said. “But we are seven races in and there is a lot of championship ahead. We can all make mistakes and the championship is still open.”