Álex Rins has confirmed at the San Marino Grand Prix venue in Misano that he will leave MotoGP at the end of 2026. The Monster Energy Yamaha rider ruled out a move to the World Superbike Championship, despite two possibilities having been discussed and reported talks with Go Eleven. Rather than pursue another WorldSBK option, he has chosen a project involving four wheels. He has not yet revealed its category or team because negotiations are still ongoing. Rins described the decision as difficult after roughly 14 years in MotoGP and Grand Prix racing, but said the new direction motivates him more than the Superbike opportunities.

The decision brings a significant Grand Prix career that began in Moto3 in 2012 toward its close. Rins finished runner-up in both Moto3 and Moto2 before moving to MotoGP with Suzuki in 2017. He recorded five MotoGP wins and 18 podiums with the manufacturer. In 2023, he joined LCR Honda and won the Grand Prix of the Americas in his third race for the team. A serious leg injury at Mugello then interrupted his Honda season. His three-year Yamaha spell has coincided with a decline in the M1’s competitiveness, while he was sitting 20th in the 2026 championship standings at the time of the report.

Although his main decision is to step away from full-time motorcycle racing, Rins has not completely closed the door. He mentioned a possible limited return, pointing to Cal Crutchlow’s approach as a reference. The four-wheel project remains unidentified, so connecting it to a specific category or team would go beyond the confirmed information. Rins’s exit also fits the reported shape of Yamaha’s 2027 lineup: Fabio Quartararo is expected to move to Honda, while Jorge Martín and Ai Ogura are named as Yamaha’s pair.