Maverick Viñales Archives

Maverick Viñales Cipta Sejarah di MotoGP Amerika 2024

Maverick Viñales mencipta sejarah baharu apabila dia menjuarai perlumbaan MotoGP Amerika yang epik di Circuit of the Americas (COTA) pagi tadi.

Viñales menjadi satu-satunya pelumba dalam kejuaraan itu yang pernah menang dengan tiga pengeluar berbeza, iaitu Aprilia, Yamaha, dan Suzuki.

Pelumba Aprilia itu bermula dari petak pertama, diikuti pelumba remaja Pedro Acosta daripada Red Bull GasGas, dan Jorge Martin daripada Prima Pramac Ducati. Bagaimanapun, Viñales yang bermula daripada petak yang pertama ditewaskan ke selekoh pertama oleh Acosta yang bermula dengan pantas, diikuti oleh Martin, juara bertahan dan pelumba pengilang Ducati, Francesco Bagnaia dan rakan sepasukannya Enea Bastianini, Jack Miller dari Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, dan pemenang tujuh kali di COTA Marc Marquez yang menunggang Gresini Ducati. Pertarungan huru-hara untuk kedudukan terbaik di selekoh pertama telah menolak Viñales ke tempat ke-11 pada penghujung pusingan pertama.

Ketika Acosta mengambil alih pendahulu buat kali pertama dalam karier MotoGPnya, bermulalah beberapa siri aksi potong-memotong yang mendebarkan di kelompok depan. Bagaimanapun, Acosta telah memilih tayar belakang kompaun sederhana yang kurang cengkam berbanding pelumba Ducati pada pilihan lembut, justeru dia terpaksa mengalah kepada Martin yang menggunakan tayar kompaun lembut.

Marquez tahu dia perlu mulakan serangan dengan segera sebelum Martin menjauhkan dirinya. Percubaannya untuk memintas Miller menyaksikan motosikal mereka berlanggar dan menghilangkan sayap kiri hadapan Ducati Marquez.

Walaupun kamera tertumpu semata-mata pada kumpulan hadapan ini, Viñales sedang bergerak ke hadapan dengan agresif dan memintas pelumba demi pelumba lain.

Tayar belakang Martin mulai haus sejurus sebelum pertengahan perlumbaan, dan ini membolehkan Acosta dan Marquez merapatkan jurang, dan akhirnya memintas Martin.

Marquez yang amat bersemangat untuk mengukuhkan kedudukannya sebagai “Raja COTA” memintas Acosta untuk mendahului. Malangnya, tayar depannya telah hilang cengkaman pada selekoh ke-11 dan terbabas daripada perlumbaan. Dia mendedahkan kemudian bahawa dia mengalami masalah brek.

Dengan ketiadaan Marquez, Acosta mula melakukan beberapa pusingan pantas untuk sekali lagi menjarakkan dirinya daripada Martin, Bagnaia, dan Bastianini.

Tetapi tunggu, ini datang Viñales dengan Aprilia “Bat Bike” miliknya (dia telah menggelarkan dirinya sebagai “BatMav” sepanjang minggu). Viñales memintas Acosta untuk mendahului. Pada masa inilah dia melakukan siri pusingan yang amat laju termasuk pusingan perlumbaan terpantas di COTA walaupun dengan tayar haus. Acosta cuba untuk mengikutnya, dan walaupun dia satu-satunya pelumba lain yang mencatatkan pusingan dalam kurungan 2m:02s, Viñales melakukan pusingan 2m:02.5s, manakala Acosta hanya mampu membuat lap dengan masa 2m:02.9s.

Jadi, BatMav bertahan untuk memenangi perlumbaan dan menempah tempat dalam buku sejarah. Persembahan Viñales menakjubkan pada hujung minggu ini, kerana dia telah mengambil kedudukan terdepan (pole position), memenangi perlumbaan Sprint, dan kini Perlumbaan Utama.

Acosta turut mencipta sejarah sebagai pelumba MotoGP termuda yang menaikki podium berturut-turut.

Bastianini berjaya memotong Martin dalam gerakan berani pada kelajuan lebih 350km/j untuk tempat ketiga. Martin berada di tempat keempat dan Bagnaia yang terpaksa bergelut dengan gegaran tayar belakang menamatkan perlumbaan di tempat kelima.

Pusingan seterusnya ialah Grand Prix Sepanyol di Jerez dalam masa dua minggu.

Maverick Viñales Creates History in Epic Grand Prix of Americas MotoGP Race

Maverick Viñales created a new history when he won at an epic Grand Prix of the Americas MotoGP race at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) this morning.

Viñales had become the only rider in the championship to ever win with three different manufacturers, namely Aprilia, Yamaha, and Suzuki. Such a record had eluded even Valentino Rossi who achieved wins with Honda and Yamaha.

The Aprilia rider had started from pole position, followed by the teenage sensation Pedro Acosta on the GasGas, and Jorge Martin on the Pramac Ducati. However, Vinales was beaten to the first corner by a quick starting Acosta, followed by Martin, defending champion and Ducati factory rider Francesco Bagnaia and his teammate Enea Bastianini, Jack Miller of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, and seven-time winner at COTA Marc Marquez on his Gresini Ducati. The chaotic battle for the first turn shuffled Viñales back to 11th at the end of the first lap.

As Acosta took over the lead for the first time in his MotoGP career, there began a series of thrilling overtakes among the leading group. However, Acosta had chosen the less grippy medium compound rear tyre compared to the Ducati riders on the soft option, thus he had to yield to Martin who took off into the distance.

On the other hand, Marquez knew he had to make a move before Martin checks out so he began to up his aggression, which saw Miller bumping into him and taking away the Ducati’s front left aerobody.

While the camera focused solely on this leading group, Viñales was making his way forward in a take-no-prisoner manner, dispatching rider after rider.

Up front, just before mid-race, Martin’s rear tyre began to deteriorate, allowing Acosta and the following Marquez to close the gap, and finally overtake Martin.

Marquez, eager to cement his place as the “King of COTA” flew past Acosta into the lead. Unfortunately, he locked up the front tyre just several turns later and crashed out of the race. He revealed later that he was having braking issues.

With Marquez gone, Acosta began putting in some quick and steady laps, once again pulling away from Martin, Bagnaia, and Bastianini.

But hold on, here comes Viñales on his Aprilia “Bat Bike” (he had dubbed himself “BatMav” over the weeked). Viñales overtook Acosta into the lead, prompting the latter to fight back, but Viñales had none of it and went back into the lead immediately after. It was during this time that he put in a series of blistering laps including the fastest ever race lap at COTA despite on being worn tyres. Acosta tried to go with him, and although he was the only other rider to lap in the 2m:02s bracket, Viñales put in 2m:02.5s laps, while Acosta could only manage 2m:02.9s.

So, BatMav held on to win the race and place in the history books. It was a stunning display over the weekend, as he had taken pole position, won the Sprint Race, and now the Main Race.

Acosta also made history as the youngest MotoGP rider to take back-to-back podiums.

Bastianini managed to pass Martin in a daring move at over 350km/h at the back straight to come home third. Martin was fourth and Bagnaia struggled with rear tyre chatter to fifth.

The next round is the Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez, Spain in two weeks’ time.

Arai To Release New RX-7X Maverick Vinales Replica Helmet In September

he excitement is building among Maverick Viñales’ fans as the highly anticipated RX-7X Maverick GP5 helmet from Arai is set to hit the market in early September 2023.

This race-ready lid, adorned with the Spanish Aprilia Racing Team rider’s name and graphics.
Arai has a long-standing history of producing top-quality racing helmets, and the RX-7X has garnered immense popularity both on and off the track. With Snell and JIS ratings, the RX-7X has earned the trust of riders worldwide for its exceptional safety standards.

Additionally, certain models, like the RX-7V Evo, have received FIM homologation and ECE 22.06 approval, further solidifying Arai’s commitment to providing helmets that meet the highest safety standards.

Priced at JPY72,600 (RM2.3k), this graphic-rich helmet features a design approved and used by Maverick Viñales himself during his races, with the exception of a larger spoiler at the back.

The helmet boasts a sophisticated ventilation system with three massive vents on the top, brow vents, a chin vent, and multiple extractors at the rear, ensuring optimal airflow and rider comfort. The aerofin design reduces rear turbulence, enhancing aerodynamics for an improved racing experience.

Inside the RX-7X, riders will find Arai’s Eco Pure interior, which not only keeps the helmet fresh but also inhibits bacterial growth. The helmet is also equipped with intercom compatibility, catering to the communication needs of professional riders.

Maverick Viñales enthusiasts and motorcycle racing aficionados alike are eagerly awaiting the helmet’s release, eager to get their hands on this iconic piece of safety gear.

Dutch GP: Francesco Bagnaia Wins As Fabio Quartararo Crashes Twice

Francesco Bagnaia is back to winning ways after claiming a sensational win at the Dutch GP, while Fabio Quartararo crashes twice at Turn 5 on the M1.

Bagnaia handed Ducati first win at the Dutch GP since Casey Stoner in 2008.
Quartararo crashses twice at Turn 5 before retiring after suffering a violent highside.

Unlike a week ago, Bagnaia managed to fend off Quartararo on the run to turn one.

Quartararo was then pushed to third by a charging Aprilia’s Aleix Espargaro, while Bagnaia took the opportunity to widen the gap.

Later on, Quartararo made his first blunder of the season as he crashed into Espargaro at Turn 5 in a rash attempt to regain the time lost to Bagnaia.

The mistake cost him dearly as he was then pushed at the way into last place while Espargaro – who was running second behind Bagnaia – had to make the climb from fifteenth.

However, it wasn’t a ‘down and out’ storyline for the Aprilia rider, as he began lapping five-tenths quicker than the leaders. Espargaro quickly reeled off Alex Marquez and Alex Rins.

Quartararo then made his way to the pit lane before deciding to continue on. However, the Frenchman’s dreadful run comes to an end when his M1 viciously high-sided on the exit of Turn 5.

It was a poor day for Yamaha as three out of four of their riders resulted in a DNF, with Franco Morbidelli and Darryn Binder (RNF Racing) also suffering a crash.

Meanwhile, Marco Bezzechi, who started fourth, took second place with Aprilia’s Maverick Vinales and claimed his first podium of the season on board the RS-GP 22.

Nevertheless, the rider of the day award went to (Aleix) Espargaro, who managed to climb all the way to seventh before making it fourth on the final lap.

The Spaniard produced one of the best overtakes, if not the best of the season when he overtook both Brad Binder and Jack Miller at the final corner.

On the other hand, Quartararo leads the championship with 172 points, followed by Espargaro (151 pts) and Johann Zarco (114 pts). Bagnaia is backed in contention with 106 pts, followed by fellow Ducati Enea Bastianini (105pts).

MotoGP: Aprilia retain Espargaró and Viñales until 2024

Aprilia continues racing in MotoGP with Aleix Espargaró and Maverick Viñales until 2024, making it the first to announce its full rider line up beyond 2022.

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MotoGP: Ketibaan Quartararo Di Yamaha Ganggu Vinales – Lorenzo

Tiga kali juara dunia MotoGP, Jorge Lorenzo, menyifatkan situasi yang menimpa Maverick Vinales mempunyai kaitan rapat dengan ketibaan Fabio Quartararo di Monster Energy Yamaha.

Yamaha telah membuat keputusan untuk menamatkan kontrak Vinales serta-merta ekoran kejadian yang berlaku di GP Austria apabila pelumba Sepanyol itu didakwa sengaja cuba merosakkan enjin YZR-M1.

Dia kemudiannya beralih ke Aprilia Racing dan telah pun membuat penampilan sulung di GP Aragon, hujung minggu lalu.

Dalam satu temubual di MotoGP.com, Lorenzo menyifatkan personaliti Vinales memainkan peranan besar terhadap apa yang berlaku pada karier pelumba itu.

“Walaupun mengejutkan tetapi ini bukan kali pertama dia membuat perubahan drastik terhadap kariernya.

“Ini adalah keputusan drastik kedua dan ketiga yang dilakukannya. Dia mempunyai personaliti berbeza,” kata Lorenzo.

Pada masa sama, Lorenzo menyifatkan ketibaan Quartararo sebagai gandingan baharu di Yamaha turut menghasilkan keputusan negatif bagi Vinales.

“Quartararo bingkas menyesuaikan diri dengan jentera dan mempamerkan kelajuan. Perkara itu mengganggu mentaliti Vinales apabila pelumba baharu mencatatkan masa lebih pantas lalu memberi kesan terhadap fokusnya.

“Pada pandangan saya itulah yang berlaku jadi Vinales mahukan persekitaran baharu dan cuba memberi motivasi pada dirinya sendiri,” tambah Lorenzo.

Kejadian di Red Bull Ring merupakan titik terakhir kesabaran pengendali Yamaha, Lin Jarvis terhadap Vinales yang kemudiannya membuat keputuan memecat pelumba itu beberapa minggu selepas itu.

Vinales kemudiannya diumumkan sebagai pelumba baharu Aprilia Racing dan akan menghabiskan baki musim ini bersama pasukan dari Noale itu dalam usaha mencapai keserasian dengan jentera RS-GP Aprilia. – MotoGP

MotoGP: Aprilia Mampu Cabar Kejuaraan Dunia 2023 – Massimo Rivola

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Aprilia, Massimo Rivola, menyuarakan keyakinan terhadap pasukannya mencabar Kejuaraan Dunia MotoGP 2023.

Masa depan Aprilia tampak semakin cerah apabila berjaya menaiki podium pertama ketika di GP Britain minggu lalu menerusi Aleix Espargaro.

Pasukan berpangkalan di Noale, Itali itu turut berjaya memperkuatkan pasukan selepas menandatangani khidmat Maverick Vinales dari Monster Energy Yamaha, baru-baru ini.

Meskipun mengakui terlalu awal untuk menetapkan sasaran 2022 namun Rivola yakin musim 2023 adalah landasan terbaik untuk memberi cabaran sebenar.

“Pada 2023, kenapa tidak? Terlalu awal untuk bercakap tentang 2022 kerana kami perlu membiasakan diri memberi saingan secara konsisten terlebih dahulu.

“Kejayaan Aleix mengetepikan saingan Jack Miller di Silverstone pada lap terakhir amat mengagumkan,” jelasnya.

Pada masa sama, Rivola turut gembira dengan perkembangan membabitkan Vinales, yang enggan tunggu hingga musim depan untuk membuat penampilan sebaliknya mahu beraksi seawal pusingan seterusnya di Aragon.

“Dia berjaya membiasakan diri dengan cepat walaupun pada awalnya kami sendiri masih tertanya-tanya. Pendekatannya cukup mengagumkan.

“Sasaran kami seterusnya adalah memberi fokus terhadap persiapan bagi musim 2022. Vinales tidak perlu membuktikan apa-apa kepada kami, dia hanya perlu berlumba seperti biasa dan biar masa yang menentukan,”tambah Rivola.

Walaupun mengejutkan ramai pihak, namun Vinales kelihatan berkobar-kobar untuk kembali beraksi musim ini setelah dipecat Yamaha beberapa minggu lalu.

Vinales akan digandingkan bersama Espargaro di Aragon yang akan berlangsung pada 12 September ini.

MotoGP: Vinales To Race In Aragon With Aprilia

Maverick Vinales has decided to race in next week Aragon GP with Aprilia Racing after just a two day testing with the RS-GP.

Vinales admitted he felt comfortable with the V4 machine despite spending most of his career in the world championship with a Japanese inline-four motorcycle.

“When I arrived, I felt tremendous pressure, and I was nervous because I had spent so much time on a different type of bike.

“I have always raced with 4-inline; I didn’t know how it would go.

“Instead, I was surprised by how easily I adapted to the engine. It was easy. The bike is very manageable, which is important for long races.

“I lapped in 1’32.4, which is not bad, the benchmark was Ducati, and we were close,” he said.

Many would have thought the Spanish rider would only feature with Aprilia next season. However, he suggests that the remaining race, starting with Aragon GP, is the best learning curve.

“Maybe I’m not ready yet; I still don’t feel like one with the bike. I was used to riding a completely different bike, but I think I will understand the bike even better at Aragon.

“Being with Aleix (Espargaro) will also help me because he is fast and I will be able to learn how this bike works quickly,” he added.

I Want To Apologize to Yamaha, It Wasn’t My Intention – Vinales

Maverick Vinales finally breaks silence over Yamaha’s decision to suspend the rider for this weekend Austrian GP.

The decision was made on Thursday due to an unexplained irregular operation of the factory-spec M1 by the Spaniard during last weekend Styria GP.

The 26-year-old rider decided to share his side of the story with SKY TV.

“It was a frustrating moment. The first race of the year was perfect, then I came back for the second half of the season with a lot of strength, but everything went wrong.

“There was an explosion inside me that I didn’t channel the right way.

“I apologize to Yamaha. I didn’t ride in the right way in those laps,” said Vinales.

He again apologizes for the incident.

“I still want to apologize to Yamaha. It wasn’t my intention to end up like this,” he added.

However, it is still unsure whether the apology is enough for Yamaha to allow the rider to return to action in the next round at Silverstone.

BREAKING: Vinales Will Not Race In Austria

Yamaha has decided to benched Maverick Vinales ahead of the Austrian GP happening this weekend.

According to Yamaha’s official statement, the decision was taken after an in-depth analysis of the M1 used by Maverick last weekend.

The data reveal that the Spaniards may have caused engine damage, putting his life and others at risk.

“Yamaha regrets to announce that Maverick Viñales’ entry to this weekend’s Austrian MotoGP event has been withdrawn by the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP team.

“The absence follows the suspension of the rider by Yamaha due to the unexplained irregular operation of the motorcycle by the rider during last weekend’s Styria MotoGP race.

“Yamaha’s decision follows an in-depth analysis of telemetry and data over the last days.

“Yamaha’s conclusion is that the rider’s actions could have potentially caused significant damage to the engine of his YZR-M1 bike which could have caused serious risks to the rider himself and possibly posed a danger to all other riders in the MotoGP race,” explained Yamaha in a statement.

Despite the stern action, the team has decided not to replace Vinales at the Austrian GP with Fabio Quartararo set to be the only representative from the factory team.

Moreover, Yamaha hinted that the 26-year-old might also miss out on the rest of the season.

“Decisions regarding the future races will be taken after a more detailed analysis of the situation and further discussions between Yamaha and the rider.”

MotoGP: Tak Berbaloi Teruskan Dengan Yamaha – Vinales

Maverick Vinales akhirnya mendedahkan disebalik keputusannya untuk tidak meneruskan kariernya bersama Yamaha meskipun masih berbaki semusim.

Jelas pelumba Sepanyol itu, keputusan tersebut diambil setelah mengambil kira pelbagai faktor.

“Saya yang membuat keputusan untuk tidak teruskan lagi,jadi tak logik untuk saya teruskan.

“Bagi saya tak masuk akal, tanpa sebarang solusi dan penjelasan, bagaimana saya nak perbaiki prestasi.

“Tiada siapa yang cuba beri penjelasan tentang apa yang berlaku atau apa yang perlu saya lakukan.

“Saya tak faham bagaimana ketika kelayakan, saya dari yang terpantas jadi yang paling ketinggalan.

“Saya tidak gembira, jadi tak berbaloi untuk saya teruskan lagi,” jelas Vinales.

Vinales hampir merekodkan permulaan baik separuh kedua musim MotoGP di GP Styria Ahad lalu ini sehinggalah perlumbaan dihentikan ekoran bendera merah.

Jentera M1 milik Vinales gagal dihidupkan ketika sesi lap pemanas badan (warm up lap) sewaktu perlumbaan hendak dimulakan semula dan terpaksa memulakan aksi di laluan pit.

Pelumba Monster Energy Yamaha itu juga akui bingung dengan apa yang berlaku di Austria.

“Pada awalnya saya gembira kerana perlumbaan pertama berjalan dengan baik tetapi sebaik perlu dimulakan semula, jentera saya enggan hidup selepas menukar tayar.

“Saya tidak faham apa yang berlaku, pelik kerana saya lakukan perkara sama ketika permulaan pertama,” jelasnya.

Kemudian, Vinales juga gagal menamatkan perlumbaan selepas jenteranya sekali lagi mengalami masalah.

“Saya tidak pasti tetapi jentera bergerak dengan banyak dalam setiap lap, panel juga kerap kali menayangkan ‘pit lane’, jadi saya sangka ada kerosakan yang berlaku,” tambah Vinales. – GPOne

MotoGP: I Have No Idea Why Vinales Would Take The Risk Of Joining Aprilia – Schwantz

1993 500cc champion Kevin Schwantz shared his take on Maverick Vinales possible switch to Aprilia for the 2022 season after the rider decided to part ways with Yamaha at the end of this season.

According to the 57-years old American, while Aprilia seems to be the only viable option for Vinales, it is not the best spot for the Spanish rider.

“I have no idea why Maverick would take the risk and accept such a thing. He must have been very unhappy at Yamaha.

“Aleix Espargaro always claims that Aprilia is close to the top, but then he finishes eight, so he’s not that close,” said Schwantz.

Besides the poor form this season, Vinales is also lacking behind his teammate, Fabio Quartararo, who is currently leading the championship with 156 points.

However, Schwantz believed that as a MotoGP rider, it is essential to have a strong mind.

“If the rider next to you is winning all the time and leading the world championship, you can easily become sad.

“But you have to stay focused on your work, do the best you can and deliver the best possible performance until the end of the year,” he added.

Nonetheless, Vinales is adamant about finishing the second half of the season with a strong result before leaving the Japanese marquee.

While Aprilia is seen as the most logical option, the Spaniard is yet to make any official announcement regarding his career next season.

The 2021 MotoGP season will return at the Red Bull Ring in August.

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