A bitter Sunday for Viñales and Aprilia

A PROBLEM WITH THE GEARBOX TAKES VIÑALES OUT OF PLAY WHEN HE WAS LYING SECOND, ESPARGARÓ COMES BACK TO FINISH EIGHTH

Consistent with the performance demonstrated in the Sprint Race, Maverick Viñales had a brilliant start, moving immediately into second place. The Spaniard held the position throughout the race until, on the final lap, a problem with the gearbox cost him any chance of finishing a perfect weekend.

Straight away on the opening lap, Aleix Espargaró was the recipient of contact from another rider which relegated him to nineteenth place. From the rear guard, he launched an incredible come back, making up positions and managing to finish eighth. 

ALEIX ESPARGARÓ
"I’m really disappointed for Maverick because he had an incredible weekend and he deserved the podium, but unfortunately, that’s how racing is. I was unable to find the right feeling all weekend. I was lacking grip at the rear. In any case, I still set a good pace coming back from the rear and I’m taking some important points home.”

MAVERICK VIÑALES
“From the sixth lap I could tell that something wasn’t working right with the gearbox. I was losing a lot of time on the straight. I still felt like I could have won, though. It’s a shame about the technical problem. In any case, I’m happy because I know that I gave one hundred percent. This weekend we took a huge step forward. We got our speed back and we demonstrated that the RS-GP24 can win. Now we’ll head to Austin, a track that I like and where I’ll arrive more motivated than ever.”