Francesco Bagnaia quipped that he "won't pay anyone" to help him dethrone Fabio Quartararo and claim a first MotoGP title at the Valencia Grand Prix on Sunday.
The odds are stacked against reigning champion Quartararo, who needs to win at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo and hope Bagnaia finishes 15th or lower in the final race of the season in order to retain his crown.
Monster Energy Yamaha rider Quartararo will start in fourth place, with Bagnaia only able to take eighth spot on the grid.
Jorge Martin sealed a third successive pole position, with Marc Marquez second and Bagnaia's Ducati team-mate Jack Miller set to start the decisive race in third.
Italian Bagnaia is not expecting any favours as he stands within touching distance of the biggest moment of his career.
"I won't pay anyone! Anyone can be my team-mate for this race," said the 25-year-old.
"It is difficult to do a strategy because it is impossible to predict what will happen. Maybe in the first two or three laps I have to take risks so I can then manage.
"I just say [to the team] that if Fabio is close to me, or behind me, then [the team should let him know] and then I will decide what to do."
He added: "My thing tomorrow is not to win - just be calm, understand. I will take risks at the start to get a gap. But then just be smart."
Hamilton acknowledges 'I've always loved MotoGP' but rules out immediate Gresini investment
Lewis Hamilton acknowledged "anything's possible" but dismissed speculation surrounding his interest in buying MotoGP team Gresni.
The seven-time world champion has spoken of his desire for further involvement in sports teams in order to boost black ownership and equity.
Hamilton joined the ownership structure of NFL franchise Denver Broncos in 2022 - the same year he was part of an unsuccessful bid to buy Premier League side Chelsea.
Reports in British and Italian media have suggested he is looking to invest in MotoGP - a sport close to his heart having once taken part in a sponsored swap of machinery with MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi.
However, Hamilton revealed it is a potential avenue he will explore further down the line.
"I've always loved MotoGP," he told reporters ahead of this weekend's British Grand Prix. "I'm interested in the potential growth of the sport, but I haven't looked that far into it just yet.
"But anything's possible. I'm definitely interested in equity and already with the Broncos, it was a first step in team ownership. I think over the next five to 10 years, there'll hopefully be more. We'll see where."
Marquez to miss Spanish Grand Prix as former champion continues surgery recovery
Marc Marquez will miss his home MotoGP race after it was confirmed the eight-time world champion will sit out the Spanish Grand Prix this weekend.
The Respol Honda man underwent surgery last month on a right hand fracture, with his recovery keeping him out of both the Argentine Grand Prix and Grand Prix of the Americas.
There had been some hope the Spaniard could return in Jerez, but the decision has now been made to focus on next month's French Grand Prix.
"Yesterday, we did another CT scan, and it has been confirmed that, despite the fact that the injury is progressing favourably, the bone has not yet finished healing and racing in Jerez was risky," Marquez said on Wednesday.
"Together with the medical team, we decided not to take any risks, to wait two more weeks and return in Le Mans.
"I am very sorry to miss the Spanish Grand Prix because it is always special, because of the atmosphere, racing at home and above all, seeing and enjoying the fans.
"I will continue with the rehabilitation and work to be back as soon as possible. Thank you for your messages of support!"
Iker Lecuona will stand in for Marquez this weekend.
Rins delivers first LCR Honda win since 2018 as Bagnaia crashes out again
After an action-packed race at MotoGP's Grand Prix of the Americas it was Alex Rins emerging with a drought-breaking victory for LCR Honda.
Rins, who qualified second and finished second in Saturday's sprint race around the Circuit of the Americas, was the beneficiary after pole-winner Francesco Bagnaia crashed out for the second race in a row, this time while leading with 13 laps remaining.
Bagnaia, who could have taken over as the championship leader if he went all the way, was one of nine riders to not complete the race.
Alex Marquez, Aleix Espargaro and Jorge Martin all went down on the first lap, before Jack Miller went down with 14 laps to go while in a podium position, and he was followed with an early finish by Raul Fernandez (14 to go), Bagnaia (13), Joan Mir (12), Takaaki Nakagami (nine) and Stefan Bradl (two).
The carnage left Rins as the leader for the final 12 laps, and he held his nerve the rest of the way, coming home to deliver LCR Honda's first race victory since Argentina back in 2018. It is the Spaniard's fifth MotoGP win, and his first since switching teams after spending the past six seasons with Team Suzuki Ecstar.
It was also the first win for a Honda bike in 539 days in what has been a dominant stretch by the Ducatis, as no Honda rider finished better than Marc Marquez's 13th in the 2022 season standings.
With the result, Rins catapulted himself up to third in the standings after a 34-point week in Texas, while championship leader Marco Bezzecchi extended his gap at the top to 11 points with his safe sixth-place outcome.
Grid Classification
1. Alex Rins (Honda) 41:14.649
2. Luca Marini (Ducati) +3.498 seconds
3. Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha) +4.936
4. Maverick Vinales (Aprilia) +8.318
5. Miguel Oliveira (Aprilia) +9.989
6. Marco Bezzecchi (Ducati) +12.049
7. Johann Zarco (Ducati) +12.242
8. Franco Morbidelli (Yamaha) +20.399
9. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Ducati) +27.981
10. Augusto Fernandez (KTM) +28.217
Championship Standings
1. Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46) 64
2. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati) 53
3. Alex Rins (LCR Honda) 47
4. Maverick Vinales (Aprilia) 45
5. Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) 44
Teams
1. Mooney VR46 102
2. Pramac Racing 73
3. Aprilia 63
4. Yamaha 63
5. Ducati 58
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