Maverick Vinales delivered an extraordinary performance at the recent MotoGP test held in Misano, demonstrating the resilience characteristic of his Maverick Vinales MotoGP recovery journey. The Spanish rider, still recuperating from a serious shoulder injury suffered at Sachsenring, completed over 60 laps—covering a distance greater than two full grand prix races—much to the amazement of his Tech3 KTM team.
Although Vinales has made impressive strides, he remains in the midst of a challenging rehabilitation process. He openly acknowledges the difficulty in regaining full strength and flexibility, stating,
I’m unable to fully tuck in on the straights,
highlighting the lingering physical challenges he faces.
Team and Rider Reflect on the Progress and Challenges
Tech3’s team manager, Nicolas Goyon, expressed his surprise and admiration for Vinales’ endurance during the test.
Maverick surprised us as he completed more than 60 laps!
he said, noting that the rider had confirmed several bike configurations throughout the session, which signals positive development toward optimizing his racing setup.
With the upcoming race at Motegi only ten days away, attention remains fixed on Vinales’ preparation and recovery. Goyon shared confidence in his rider’s potential for a strong return, stating,
I’m sure that he will arrive at Motegi well prepared,
underscoring their cautious optimism.
Focusing on Recovery Rather Than Innovation in Testing
During the session, Vinales opted not to test new components, instead choosing to focus on evaluating the condition of his injured shoulder under race-like conditions. He explained,
I don’t know if the feeling will be correct because I’m fighting every lap with the bike and I’m not able to push it 100%,
indicating the primary objective was to monitor how his shoulder responds to sustained riding without risking further damage.
He ended the day on a high note by achieving his fastest lap late in the test, finishing tenth on the leaderboard. His time was just 0.843 seconds behind the top test rider Pedro Acosta, a fellow KTM competitor, reflecting commendable pace despite his physical restraints.
Training Plans and the Road Ahead to Motegi
As the race weekend in Japan approaches, Vinales remains focused on improving his physical condition and riding readiness. With determination, he shared,
I’ll just try to train as much as I can,
and outlined plans to use a 600cc bike on a kart track to rebuild muscle strength and enhance mobility.
He added,
It’s more about building muscle and gaining mobility more than anything else. Let’s see if in Japan I can be already [tucked] inside the bike, which can be a good accomplishment.
These efforts aim to enable a more competitive performance in the upcoming event.
Community Eagerly Awaits Vinales’ Racing Return
The MotoGP community watches closely as Vinales maneuvers through this critical phase of his recovery and preparation. His resilient approach to the Misano test offers hope that he can return to form for the Motegi race, where fans and competitors alike anticipate whether he will meet the challenge and reclaim his position on the grid.
