MotoGP Assen: Qualifying key for Vinales, ‘ready to help Aleix win’

Twelve months since his last MotoGP podium at the TT Circuit Assen, Maverick Viñales was back on the rostrum but in Aprilia colours.

It’s been a rollercoaster year for Viñales, since his acrimonious split with Yamaha, and a tough journey, with much criticism, as he got to grips with the RS-GP but the 27-year-old has always said it was coming.

The determination finally paid off with third position at one of his most favoured circuits on the World Championship calendar, although there was certainly a ‘what could have been’ hanging over the Sachsenring following a technical retirement from a strong run in fourth.

“Well has been a very tough race, but I enjoy a lot,” Viñales enthused from the Assen paddock on Sunday evening. “We came from Sachsenring where we thought we could fight for the podium. So we keep the motivation, we keep the momentum.

“I knew after the warm-up I could be able to be in the front but I never expected to recover places so fast on the first lap!

“So what I can say is just ‘Thank you to Aprilia.’ They are working fantastic, they believe in me every day and we are achieving step by step, the results. I know our potential is very high. It’s a long way and now it’s coming Silverstone, Misano, many tracks where I’m really fast and where I point to try to fight for the victory. Is not easy because there is few riders who are very, very strong and on a very high level. But step by step we are getting closer.”

The celebrations for Aprilia were twofold after teammate Aleix Espargaro recovered from a fifth lap tangle with Fabio Quartararo’s M1 - leaving him off track and down in 15th when he rejoined the action - to fourth at the flag.

“Honestly, I thought he was retired,” Viñales admitted. “So when I turn and