Rins at risk of further dislocations, hopes to avoid operation

After a brave tenth place finish at Jerez, just a week after dislocating his right shoulder, Alex Rins feels in better shape for this weekend's Brno round.

But he's also been warned there is now a 70-80% chance of another dislocation should he suffer a heavy accident.

"I'm feeling better than in Jerez. Now I can lift my arm to 90-degrees without pain. Also this track is less difficult in terms of right corners compared with Jerez. But let's see," Rins said.

Medical checks following the second Jerez race confirmed the initial diagnosis of both a dislocation and small fracture to his right shoulder.

However, the lengthy recovery time needed for an operation means Rins is currently prepared to ride on and then review his options at the end of the season.

"The Monday after the race we discussed about having an operation, or no operation. They said that now if I crash badly I have a 70-80% probability that the shoulder will go out," Rins explained.

"For sure the muscle in the right shoulder is not the same as the left and yesterday in Barcelona before flying I did another check, because now I have less inflammation, and they confirmed I also have this small fracture.

"I prefer not to have the operation because it's a long time [to recover]. Let's see how it goes this season. If [the dislocation] happens more times for sure after the last race I will have an operation."

But Rins made clear he won't be taking it easy.

"I will try to ride at my 100% because if I'm feeling good, on the bike with more riders fighting, you don’t think about the shoulder," he said.

"The guy from Moto3, Albert Arenas, always when he crashes he puts his arms [across his chest]. Maybe I need to understand and learn how to put the arms like this to protect the shoulders and arms!"

Rins is one of three MotoGP riders currently injured, alongside Cal Crutchlow and Marc Marquez, the reigning champion missing this weekend's Czech event after a second round of surgery on his broken arm.

"It's a shame that we don’t have Marc here in Brno but I hope he comes back soon," Rins said. "What Marc did at Jerez is unbelievable because after two days to try to ride again in MotoGP is incredible, because it's not a normal bike.

"For sure people put Maverick, Quartararo and Dovi as the main title contenders now. I need to know how my performance is at Brno but as long as mathematically I can be a title contender I will try."