Maverick Viñales, the Spanish MotoGP rider, is preparing for a determined return following an injury at the Sachsenring in July, which hindered his 2025 campaign. Now fully recovered, Viñales wants to resume his strong form with KTM, the manufacturer based in Mattighofen, as he looks ahead to upcoming races and testing.
Jorge Lorenzo’s Mentorship Boosts Viñales’ Performance
Since the end of last season, Jorge Lorenzo has joined Viñales as a mentor and coach, focusing on enhancing his technical skills and race approach. Viñales credits Lorenzo’s guidance for sharpening his abilities and pushing him to reach his full potential.
“During the winter, I worked on the technical details, so I could express my talent to the fullest. I noticed some room for growth, which is very positive. So I’m pushing hard with the hope of arriving at the Sepang tests in good shape and ready to give one hundred percent to the team,”
Viñales stated.
Physical Recovery and Strength Regain
Discussing his shoulder rehabilitation, Viñales emphasized the progress made in physical conditioning since the injury.
“Well, I’ve worked hard physically and gotten stronger. At the end of 2025, I weighed sixty-one kilos, but now I weigh between sixty-five and sixty-six. My strength is back, and I’m no longer in pain. I’m convinced that I won’t have any problems on the bike. On the contrary, I couldn’t play tennis or volleyball,”
he explained, highlighting a return to full fitness necessary for competitive riding.
Focused Training on Riding Techniques
In preparation for the upcoming season, Viñales has concentrated on improving specific riding aspects.
“I’ve focused on braking and acceleration. Like I said, my goal is to get to Malaysia at the top, so that I can give the manufacturer all the useful development information,”
he revealed, aiming to provide valuable feedback during tests at Sepang.
The Development of a Collaborative Partnership
The partnership with Lorenzo began in Austin but grew closer after Viñales’ injury.
“In Austin, but then everything fell into place after the injury,”
he said when asked about their first meeting. He also expressed appreciation for Lorenzo’s presence:
“He’s a plus, so I’m trying to take advantage of his presence as much as possible. I would’ve liked it to happen sooner, but my family needs were a priority.”
Adjusting the Mindset toward Racing
Viñales maintains a strong focus on self-improvement and discipline as he approaches the new season. Reflecting on last year, he said,
“Back in 2025, I was already very focused on myself and on improving, and that’s an attitude I want to maintain. Looking ahead to the season, I’m optimistic, partly because Acosta’s feedback after the first test was positive. I hope there will be improvements in terms of rear shaking and cornering.”
Building a Positive Working Relationship with Lorenzo
The rider described his rapport with Lorenzo as surprisingly good despite previous on-track tensions.
“Excellent. We get along very well, which surprises me a little because there had been some tension on the track, but he’s also now in a different phase of his life. We work hard together, but we also have a lot of fun. I hope he can be present at all the races, because he motivates me a lot. One day, for example, it was pouring rain during training, and I wanted to go home, but he insisted that I continue riding,”
Viñales shared, highlighting the motivational role Lorenzo plays.
Lorenzo’s Holistic Support Extends Beyond Riding
Beyond coaching on the track, Lorenzo is actively involved in expanding Viñales’ public presence.
“Yes, he’s also dedicating a lot of time to social media, creating lots of content, with the aim of attracting new partners,”
Viñales noted, underscoring the strategic collaboration aimed at enhancing his career prospects.
Comparing Riding Styles and New Practices
Viñales observed some similarities with Lorenzo’s riding style, especially after his experience at Yamaha, where he used bikes Lorenzo had previously ridden. He also acknowledged an unconventional addition to his routine:
“Yes, and it’s very hard for me to relax, because I’m a very dynamic person,”
referring to Lorenzo encouraging him to meditate as part of mental preparation.
Aspirations for the Upcoming Season and Legacy
Looking forward, Viñales is committed to daily progress and aims to become a key figure at KTM.
“By thinking about today and working with a view to continuous improvement. I want to become a point of reference for KTM,”
he affirmed. Regarding comparisons to legends like Rossi and Marquez, he remains humble yet determined:
“I don’t know. I certainly haven’t won yet. However, I believe that pure talent isn’t enough to achieve something. You have to know how to work.”
