25 Apr 2024 by Diana Tamantini
“Now I’m reaping the benefits.” Maverick Vinales is also ready for the challenge in the Jerez GP, a heartfelt home event.
It’s a decidedly serene Maverick Vinales who shows up in Jerez on the eve of the first free practice sessions for the Spanish GP. The Aprilia rider has just returned from a historic moment experienced in Austin, but there is more behind the result obtained on the track. The Spaniard seems to have finally found the right balance, or rather the right balance, and is now determined to make the most of it in MotoGP. Now it’s his first home date of this 2024 season, he doesn’t expect to do as in Texas but he doesn’t stop himself from dreaming about it either…
MotoGP at the Jerez challenge
“It would be a dream to repeat it, but let’s be realistic, every weekend is different”. Maverick Vinales doesn’t want to put unnecessary pressure on himself. The result in Austin is certainly a big injection of confidence that he needed, but he reiterates that the event in Andalucia will be a challenge for everyone, in particular for the many Spaniards present in MotoGP. “We have to start again from where we stopped in Portimao and Austin, then if it goes well we would certainly be happy!” It is a premier class, however, already significantly faster than last year. What do you think is this due to this? “To the new generation of tyres, which are more competitive, and to the improvement in aerodynamics, which has a great effect especially when entering corners and braking later” is Vinales’ response. Looking at the bike-rider package, the Aprilia has improved in cornering speed compared to last year, but it still lacks a little something. “I know I have to improve in the slow corners, and there are a lot of them in Jerez, to be able to try to do more in the fast corners” He admitted.
“That joy only when Valentino won”
However, thoughts cannot help but return to the joy experienced in Austin. “We wrote history, it’s something fantastic for the team, for Aprilia” said Vinales. “Everyone was happy, it had never happened to me, I only saw this joy when Valentino won.” He in particular was very moved, the reason can be found in the difficult years experienced in MotoGP. “I wasn’t in my place before” commented the Spaniard. “It wasn’t easy, it was often like hitting a wall. Until last year in Qatar, when I managed to find the right balance and break that wall, now I’m reaping the rewards.” What has changed? “I can’t say: I get up, I work, I try to keep it simple, to enjoy the time with my family and this sport. The simple things.” Maverick Vinales is serene, smiling and confident: now he can truly become a ‘public danger’ in MotoGP.
Photo: Aprilia Racing
