Maverick Vinales has revealed that his Aprilia motorcycle experienced a clutch problem leading up to MotoGP’s Americas Grand Prix, causing concern for the team. Despite this issue, Vinales went on to secure victory, making history as the first rider in MotoGP to win with three different manufacturers, having previously won with Suzuki and Yamaha.
During the race, Vinales encountered a difficult start and dropped to 11th place after contact at Turn 1. However, he managed to navigate his way back to the front and ultimately claimed the lead within 13 laps. With a comfortable gap to Pedro Acosta behind him, Vinales crossed the finish line with a 1.7-second advantage.
In a post-race interview with Autosport, Vinales disclosed that the clutch problem had also occurred during the morning warm-up session, raising concerns within the Aprilia team. Despite this, Vinales remained competitive throughout the race, consistently securing second or third place. He did encounter a racing incident involving Pecco Bagnaia, who pushed him wide, but Vinales maintained his focus and determination to secure the victory.
Vinales expressed his joy and gratitude for the achievement, considering Aprilia’s limited success in the premier class of MotoGP and the personal challenges he has faced. He described his return to the top step of the podium as a “dream,” highlighting the significance of achieving this milestone with Aprilia. Unlike joining a team that is already winning with a fantastic bike, Vinales acknowledged the hard work put in by his teammate Aleix Espargaro, who had previously secured two victories for Aprilia, and the entire Aprilia team in developing a competitive bike.
Overall, Vinales expressed his gratitude and appreciation for the opportunity to be part of the Aprilia team and to contribute to their success.