MotoGP, Vinales: "Goodbye to the rear device? Those who have more technique will emerge"

"I prefer not to go into the subject of the regulations. It's a matter for engineers. What can I do in Le Mans? Every race I feel stronger. The bike has grown even though we need to improve in braking. Qualifying will be crucial."

Submitted by Chiara Rainis on Thu, 09/05/2024 - 18:00

Aprilia

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At Jerez de La Frontera he might have retired in the Sprint Race and finished ninth in the GP, but Maverick Vinales' spirits are still high, buoyed by a weekend as perfect as the one he experienced in Texas and by comforting feelings on the bike.

"Every race that passes I feel more and more confident and growing. Le Mans then is a track that makes me feel comfortable and calm. A very important aspect. Am I getting younger? I still am, even though 13 years have passed since my first victory. I still remember the duel with Nicolas Terol in 125, but the one with Rossi who was my idol in 2017 was epic. My goal? I would like to repeat Austin, but I actually prefer not to create expectations for myself. I know it is a circuit where I can be fast and can have a chance, however what matters is to work hard from the first session on Friday and build a good weekend. Energy will have to be focused on qualifying. Overall on all the tracks encountered so far except Qatar the RS-GP has responded well. Should it rain now we have several solutions to be competitive, but as I said starting in front will be crucial," was his analysis.

Going into the specifics of his Aprilia's critical issues, he confided, "Before when I approached the corners I couldn't turn and as a result it was impossible for me to accelerate, but working on the bike we solved that. From the videos you can see that we were always half a meter off the apex, this prevented us from giving gas and lifting the bike well. At 60° you can't pull it up because the tires need to have more contact. After a lot of work at the end of 2023 we were able to have a motorcycle that could corner and stop. In Lusail we still had some little problems, but now we have solved them. We are lacking getting stronger in braking, but I am convinced that we will make it."

About the new regulations, the Spanish rider remained evasive. "I think it is more a matter for the engineers. They are very complicated issues for me. The elimination of the rear device? Those with more technique will have the upper hand, because it will have to be the rider who modulates it. I don't think in general that you will go faster," he concluded.