Maverick Vinales says his podium at the Spanish MotoGP has restored his self-confidence after a shaky start to the 2019 campaign, while he holds optimism in the improvements his Monster Yamaha squad has uncovered from the post-race Jerez test.
After leading three of the six days of official pre-season testing, few would have predicted it would take Maverick Vinales until round four to claim a MotoGP podium in 2019.
Maverick Vinales has conceded his Jerez test was largely fruitless with no breakthroughs on Yamaha’s rear tyre traction issues which has plagued its performance.
Maverick Vinales believes he’s “finally” made a breakthrough with his MotoGP race starts for Monster Yamaha which set up his charge to a maiden podium at the Spanish round.
Full Spanish MotoGP race results Marc Marquez has produced a ruthless performance to take victory at the Spanish MotoGP and regain the world championship lead from Andrea Dovizioso who just misse
Having languished in 15th place and 'unable to ride' during Saturday morning's FP3 at the Spanish MotoGP, Maverick Vinales and the Monster Yamaha team had little choice but to make big changes for final practice.
Vinales leads Qualifying 1 with rookie Bagnaia beating VR46 Academy boss Rossi for the final Qualifying 2 place at the Spanish MotoGP. A late fall for Miller means he will start just 15th.
Maverick Vinales endured a rollercoaster Friday at Jerez with his Monster Yamaha after his positive feeling from the opening practice disappeared into “being a disaster” in the afternoon session as grip and conditions changed.
After a strong pre-season, Maverick Vinales must have expected much better than twelfth in the world championship heading to the start of the European season, in front of his home Spanish fans, at Jerez this weekend.
Monster Yamaha MotoGP star Maverick Vinales will be collaborating with the Qatar Motorsports Academy to help and support the development of Qatari riders. The five-time MotoGP race winner began his new role during a recent visit to Doha.
Maverick Vinales feels he could “easily ride” at the same pace of the front-runners at the Americas MotoGP despite his race being wrecked by a ride-through penalty for a jump start.
Hot on the heels of a controversial jump-start penalty for Cal Crutchlow in Argentina, Maverick Vinales and Joan Mir suffered the same fate in Sunday's COTA race.
Maverick Vinales got the better of COTA favourite Marc Marquez during a phantom qualifying session at the end of Friday practice in Austin, which also saw Monster Yamaha team-mate Valentino Rossi complete the top three.
Vinales sets the pace from Marquez and Rossi as lap times tumble during FP2 for the Austin MotoGP at COTA. Rain is forecast for Saturday, prompting soft-tyre time attacks in the closing stages to try and claim a place in the top ten for direct access to Qualifying 2.
Full FP2 results at Americas MotoGP Maverick Vinales has weakened Marc Marquez’s control at the Americas MotoGP by going quickest at the end of Friday practice, as both factory Ducati riders
Full FP1 results for the Americas MotoGP Marc Marquez has taken control at the Americas MotoGP by topping the opening session with Maverick Vinales in close company throughout, while Andrea D
Maverick Vinales feels going on full attack to challenge for victory at the Americas MotoGP can be his only option after losing early ground in the riders’ championship as his start problems continue to bemuse both him and his Monster Yamaha squad.
Maverick Vinales has confirmed he is fully fit following his heavy off after being taken out by Franco Morbidelli on the final lap of the Argentina MotoGP last time out but accepts he must give his all to recover lost ground in the championship.
Maverick Vinales began the Argentine MotoGP from second on the grid and confident of fighting for at least second place in the race, having been best of the rest behind Marc Marquez in morning warm-up.
A bittersweet final lap for Yamaha at the Argentina MotoGP saw Valentino Rossi snatch second position from Andrea Dovizioso, but the celebrations were muted when Franco Morbidelli ran into the back of Maverick Vinales with just a few corners to go.
Monster Yamaha's Maverick Vinales began the Argentina MotoGP weekend in 18th place, but set-up improvements have helped carry him to second in qualifying, behind only Honda's Marc Marquez.
Monster Yamaha riders Maverick Vinales and Valentino Rossi could only manage tenth and 18th places as they battled wheelspin during a dirty opening practice in Argentina.
On pole in Qatar and outwardly confident in the new M1, Maverick Vinales - as so many times in recent seasons - lost ground on the opening lap of the race and never recovered.