Vinales’ Aprilia adaptation “taking for much longer” than hoped

The nine-time MotoGP race winner joined Aprilia from final 12 months’s Aragon Grand Prix after dropping his journey with Yamaha following a controversial Styrian GP, wherein he was discovered to have intentionally tried to break his bike.

Utilizing these remaining rounds of 2021 as a take a look at forward of his full-time Aprilia debut this 12 months, Vinales loved a powerful Sepang take a look at final weekend – wherein he was fifth general, although had been on observe for 3 days prior through the shakedown.

Nonetheless, Vinales admits adapting to the Aprilia is taking longer than anticipated and is not positive he might be absolutely prepared for the Qatar season opener in March.

“It is all the time laborious to say as a result of in a single tenth there may be six riders,” he stated final weekend.

“It is troublesome. I am nonetheless adapting to the bike, however within the different hand you must push. You’ve gotten six riders beneath lap file on this observe, nevertheless I’ve to push.

“Even when I’m adapting, I’ve to push, I’ve to take out the perfect of the bike. I feel I might be prepared, I hope in Qatar, but when not, I feel in Jerez I might be on the most.

“It is taking for much longer, I anticipated to suit higher simply after I jumped on the bike. Nevertheless it’s not like that. I’ve to get used to the engine.”

Maverick Vinales, Aprilia Racing Crew

Picture by: MotoGP

Vinales added that he’s nonetheless “pushing within the unsuitable areas” on the bike over a time assault, however says his emotions on the RS-GP are nothing to do with the bike itself.

Throughout final weekend’s Sepang take a look at, Motorsport.com revealed Aprilia had shaped a brand new working group round Vinales comprising of a sports activities psychologist and ex-Fernando Alonso coach Fabrizio Maganzi.

Commenting on this modification, Vinales stated: “Mainly with Aprilia we wish to construct an excellent staff, additionally on the psychological facet.

“And for the preparation of the race weekend, we must be prepared. So, mainly it is about to construct an excellent staff round myself and maintain believing.

“Appears to be like prefer it’s beginning work and that is one thing good.

“On the finish you must see it on the race weekend, however right away I see I am quick, the arrogance is excessive and I simply really feel good and I loved myself so much on observe.”