Maverick Viñales, the Spanish motorcycle racer, has openly shared his determination to excel in the 2026 season by completely overhauling his riding technique to maximize the KTM bike’s performance. The KTM team officially unveiled their lineup for the upcoming year on Tuesday, showcasing their factory riders as well as the Tech3 squad, with Viñales reflecting on the challenges and growth he experienced last year.
Overcoming a Difficult Season and Injury
Viñales described his 2025 season as split into two parts, beginning with adapting to the KTM and collecting valuable experience. His progress was interrupted by a serious crash at Sachsenring that led to a dislocated shoulder, forcing him into a demanding recovery phase. In his own words,
“Last year, my season unfolded in two parts. The first part was dedicated to discovering the KTM, gaining experience, and achieving good results. Unfortunately, I had a bad crash at the Sachsenring and dislocated my shoulder.” ?Maverick Viñales, Driver
During rehabilitation, Viñales questioned his methods and sought ways to improve, ultimately emerging mentally stronger. He explained,
“That’s where the second part of the season began: recovery and the desire to return as quickly as possible. But it was extremely difficult and it led me to question whether I was doing things correctly and how I could improve them. So I took advantage of this free time to prepare differently, to be better prepared and ready to take on the challenge. Mentally, I came out of it much stronger, because after going through a great period with KTM, I then went through probably the worst of my life. It’s always difficult, but when you come back, you feel much stronger.” ?Maverick Viñales, Driver
Collaboration with Jorge Lorenzo Enhances Preparation
Since late November, Viñales has been working closely with Jorge Lorenzo, the five-time World Champion now retired, who serves as his technical and performance coach. This partnership aims to sharpen Viñales’ approach to handling the KTM, focusing on riding techniques suited to amplify the bike’s strengths.
Viñales shared insight into how Lorenzo’s involvement has transformed his routine, stating,
“This year, I brought in Jorge Lorenzo as my technical and performance coach for the bike, which completely transformed my approach to the season. I’m working on all the technical details, riding the bike not just on the big circuits, but also on the smaller ones, trying to be fluid, aggressive, and above all, very precise. I think that’s essential for our bike.” ?Maverick Viñales, Driver
Developing a Precise Yet Aggressive Riding Style
The KTM bike demands a delicate balance between aggressive riding and precision, which Viñales identifies as critical to unlocking its potential. He elaborated on this challenge, saying,
“This is a motorcycle that demands aggressive riding, but also great precision. It’s a delicate balance, because as soon as you become aggressive, the precision disappears. So I’m working extensively on my precision by pushing the bike to its limits, and I think that will pay off with this KTM. I feel a great responsibility to make this project a success. It’s very motivating, because I always give my best under this kind of pressure and responsibility. So, I’m ready!” ?Maverick Viñales, Driver
His preparation reflects a deep commitment to making the KTM competitive and to achieving significant results in the 2026 campaign.
What This Means for the Future of KTM
Viñales’ strategic transformation and collaboration with an experienced champion like Jorge Lorenzo indicate a promising new chapter for the KTM team. By addressing both the technical and mental demands of racing, Viñales aims to elevate KTM’s competitiveness on the world stage. His confidence and refined approach could prove pivotal in turning KTM into a consistent winner by 2026, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead.
