Maverick Viñales made history and became the first rider ever to win in MotoGP with three different manufacturers and is considered a title contender for this season. Still, not everything was easy and there were many ups and downs until reaching the current moment, with some certainties only coming at the end of 2023 and, already this year, with some doubts arising as well.
The Aprilia Racing rider recalled the moments when he felt that the “lights turned on” for good and how, shortly after, things seemingly changed drastically: ‘Everything changed after the Qatar GP, last November. In Valencia I had the confirmation with the pole and the fastest lap, but in the tests in Malaysia with the new bike I felt lost, couldn’t believe it’, he explained in words to TNT Sports.
In fact, this got even more into the mind of the Spaniard after winning as much as he did, and there is only one thing that still motivates him: the desire to achieve more victories: ‘It was difficult to find the motivation to continue competing after winning many races and winning enough. The only reason that keeps me here is the hunger for success and the motivation that, by committing myself and exploring my talent, I can make the most of each bike’.
He, who has already won with Suzuki, Yamaha, and now with Aprilia, explained what is crucial to make history, just like he did: ‘Experience helps. In particular, my start with Suzuki, when, without any experience, I helped the team in development. I know what a bike needs and I have a certain sensitivity to judge what is good and what is not’.
