Maverick Vinales says his Aprilia bike had a clutch issue leading up to MotoGP’s Americas Grand Prix which “worried” the team before he went on to become victorious.
Vinales achieved the historic feat of becoming the first rider in MotoGP to win with three manufacturers, having won with the Japanese marques Suzuki and Yamaha.
Vinales struggled at the start and fell down to 11th following contact at Turn 1, but he was able to plot his route back towards the front to take the lead inside 13 laps.
Having also won the Sprint at the Circuit of the Americas, the Spaniard controlled the gap to Pedro Acosta behind to take the chequered flag with 1.7 seconds in hand.
However, Vinales revealed post-race that he had experienced a clutch issue during the morning warm-up session, which prompted concerns amongst his Aprilia outfit.
“Actually, this morning I had an issue with the clutch and the team was quite worried,” Vinales told Autosport.
“So, they didn’t really want to touch anything. I had the same thing in the race, but I was not bad. I was second, third, so that was ok.
“But I saw Pecco [Bagnaia] enter and push me very wide. But because also Jorge [Martin] was on the inside, so that was a racing incident and after that I said ‘no, come on, no!’
“So, I kept concentrated, and I kept believing that I was able to do it.
“The way I see I was recovering the gap so quick to the front guys, I said ‘one at a time man’.
“I did it and it was crazy. I was enjoying every single lap. Some riders overtook me again, but I braked late enough to make them go wide.”
Considering Aprilia’s premature record at the pinnacle of the top flight and the personal challenges he’s faced, Vinales labelled his return to the top step as a “dream”.
“To be honest, you are never looking at that but when you see it, it makes you feel very special because not many riders can do things like that,” he said of his new record.
“However, to arrive to the top with Aprilia… I don’t know, I think it’s a dream.
“It’s not the same as when you go to a team that’s already winning, you know the bike is fantastic.
“We arrived to Aprilia, Aleix [Espargaro] achieved two victories and then leaves a good bike and I’m taking this next step [with it].
“It’s so fantastic. I need to thank Aleix for the work he is doing and to Aprilia.”
