Alex Márquez's continuity at LCR Honda had been in doubt, but after statements from Alex Rins on Friday, there now seems little doubt that Marc Márquez's brother will indeed leave the Honda structure to make way for Alex Rins' arrival.

Asked to comment on the more than likely move to LCR, Rins responded this way this afternoon at the end of FP2 at Assen, in a conversation with the press: 'We hope to be able to announce something when the race is over on Sunday or the week after.'

Awaiting him at the Honda satellite team is an official factory RC213V which is very similar to that of the official riders, as well as a two-year contract. Rins then left open the possibility of continuing to be factory team-mates with Joan Mir, one in the official team and the other in the satellite LCR team:

- It would be curious. The conditions in terms of material will be the same, we spoke to LCR because they didn't give us the option to compete in the official team. I wouldn't be unhappy if I could compete in Repsol colours, I already competed for them in 2013 and 2014, and I was hoping, or at least hoping, to have that possibility [to compete for Repsol Honda].

Further asked to comment on whether he expects problems switching from an inline engine, which gives the bike more agility, like Suzuki's, to Honda's V4, Rins said: 'It's a big challenge, it will be a big change to go to a V4, but we are prepared, we are not afraid.'

Confirmation of the move is expected in the next few days, with Alex Márquez left standing in the exit door in view of HRC's desire to have a Japanese rider in the premier class, swapping Takaaki Nakagami for Ai Ogura. Alex Márquez will now be negotiating with Gresini Racing and RNF Aprilia, taking ¤1 million from title sponsor Estrella Galicia.

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