Maverick Viñales took his first podium with Aprilia last Sunday at the Dutch GP, and was on hand to help Aleix Espargaró in a possible MotoGP title fight
Maverick Viñales finished the MotoGP Dutch GP in third place last Sunday (26) after starting 11th, and took his first podium since joining Aprilia in 2021. The Spaniard gained positions early in the race and finished behind only Francesco Bagnaia and Marco Bezzecchi. His last podium was at Assen in 2021, still with Yamaha.
"It was a difficult race, but I enjoyed it very much. We came from Germany, where we thought we could fight for the podium, so we kept that inertia and that motivation. Since the warm-up I knew I could be in front, but not that I could gain so many places in the first laps, so I have to thank Aprilia because they are working very well," praised the Spaniard.
Viñales arrived just ahead of his teammate Aleix Espargaró, who was involved in an incident early in the race with Frenchman Fabio Quartararo, but managed to recover and climb from 15th position to an impressive fourth place. The result put Aleix closer to the title race, and Maverick revealed that he will try to help his teammate as much as possible in the MotoGP title race.
"In the second part [of the season] we will certainly be stronger and Aleix is close in the championship, so if I am faster in a race, it is important that he finishes in front of me. In the end, I work for Aprilia and we do it together. This will make us stronger. If he has the opportunity and I have to let him pass, I will do that. If he has the opportunity, I will help him without a doubt," stated Viñales.
Aprilia is the current leader of the MotoGP teams with 213 points, against 197 for Ducati and Yamaha, which are tied for second place. The good phase of the Italian team encourages the Spaniard, who did not spare praise for the team after their first podium together.
"I am the happiest man in the world, I can't ask for anything more. I have a very competitive bike, a very good team and Aprilia is supporting me. I have everything I dreamed of and I'm prepared to go to the limit. I will push myself every day to be stronger. The level is very high, but I already know what I am capable of achieving," celebrated Viñales.
MotoGP is now on vacation and will be back in action on August 7th for the British GP at Silverstone.GRANDE PRÊMIO is following all the activities of the 2022 MotoGP World Championship.