Maverick Viñales was one of the standout riders today on two occasions, before qualifying and again in Q2, where he set the second fastest time with an attack near the end, and will start from the front row of the grid.
The Aprilia rider said that yesterday he didn’t feel at his best but that he eventually improved and this could be seen on the track: ‘Yesterday it was very important to be on the bike even if I was feeling like shit but we had to change the balance of the bike to try and find better sensations and we managed to do it’.
His expectations for the race are high, as he himself was keen to point out: ‘I can push a bit more and the lap times are «there», so I’m very happy with the way things are going. Of course, I’m not at my maximum but that doesn’t matter, this is racing and you have to be focused for the races but I feel ready and I think we have a chance’.
The Sprint race takes place at 15:00 local time.