Viñales, Aleix Espargaró’s extra weapon in the fight for the MotoGP title

In the exact place where he suffered the lowest point of his career just twelve months prior, Maverick Viñales experienced a rebirth, putting his problems behind him and embarking on a new chapter in MotoGP. In reaching the podium at Van Drenthe, the 27-year old Spaniard had a breakthrough, becoming (almost) one with his Aprilia. And that ‘almost’ should worry his rivals, as the number 12 rider can grow further. And he will.

Twelve months, a life that changes

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It was late June 2021 and Maverick was wearing Yamaha colours. And they were tight on him, let’s be honest. He did well to finish second on the podium at the end of a race won by Fabio Quartararo – his then team-mate no less – but something had been wrong for a while.

Something big… Between the Sachsenring disaster and the ‘DNF’ at the Red Bull Ring, his contract was rescinded with the subsequent legal and financial consequences. This didn’t go down well with Yamaha bosses, as the contract was set to run until 2022. And that’s why the Spaniard didn’t race in Austria.

The move to black

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Maverick was black, or no, even worse… Maverick was grey, a colour that we can bet very few people like. Definitely not an ‘all or nothing’ type like Viñales, who found himself at a significant crossroads – should he stop racing altogether, or start over elsewhere, perhaps in a place where (mutual) trust could be felt in the garage?

And so it was that he took part in a life-changing test, aboard the RS-GP bike at Misano. And the Spaniard clearly got on well with the Italian four-cylinder, as he immediately found himself competing in a race. As of Aragón last year, a new MotoGP adventure began for ‘Vinny’, who continues to ride for the Noale factory team today. He was a rose ready to bloom.

The Assen podium - new lifeblood for Mav

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The third step of the rostrum is already impressive, if we’re talking MotoGP. Let alone if it comes after a twelve month fast. And Mav did just this, rounding out the podium at Van Drenthe. In a race won by Pecco Bagnaia, and in which Marco Bezzecchi proved himself on the world stage, the Catalan rider found himself again.

But he was never really lost. It was more a matter of environment. Without judging whether one team is better than another, as that’s not up to us, Viñales found what he was looking for with the Noale-based squad, or rather understanding, trust and respect. And the right bike.

Aleix has Vinny, the others don’t

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Like when we were kids, playing with our models: I have this one, you don’t. Exactly what Aprilia might say now, with Viñales in its ranks. The black squad now knows that it can count on a ‘second’ rider who is as quick as the first.

Because Maverick will do it again, doing better than he did at Assen. You’ll see. And who will benefit? He will of course, as much as Aleix Espargaró. The latter has a team-mate who is ready to offer a supportive shoulder. Who else can say the same? Quarta at Yamaha? No. Pecco in Ducati? Not always. Suzuki, KTM and Honda? Forget about it.

Translated by Heather Watson

MotoGP, Aleix Espargaró from ugly duckling to frontrunner