MotoGP Misano: ‘They had something else!’ - Vinales

Maverick Viñales secured his third podium with the RS-GP at Misano on Sunday, a year after joining the Aprilia project.

Initially looking like he would challenge for the victory, Viñales dropped back in the closing stages of the 27-lap race as eventual victor Pecco Bagnaia battled Enea Bastianini to the line.

“They had something else!” Viñales said of his fellow podium-sitters. “I try on the beginning because I always had in mind the race from 2020, that I put a lot of pressure on Pecco and he slightly make a mistake. Today I was trying it but he improve! He made not even one slight mistake to put the bike in.

“On the beginning of the race I was feeling very good, also in the middle of the part of the race but when Enea pass me I start to struggle a little bit. Then I just say ‘Okay, today it’s third. Maverick, it’s what it is’. We need to work more and more and we will come back stronger for sure. I mean, we are very happy with Aprilia and all Piaggio Group. We are working on a good way and that’s the way to go for the victory, step by step and getting that evolution that we are doing.

“They had a little bit extra [grip] but as Pecco mentioned, at the beginning they were struggling so I might make another strategy, maybe go a little bit calm at the beginning and then pushing at the end. Because there is two/three races that at the end of the race, I arrive with a little bit of problems. But what can I say, I’m sitting here, I’m really happy, very proud for Aprilia and is the time to make the next move. Very happy and very pleased and also congratulations to these two guys that ride fantastic today.”

While the Ducatis were going hammer and tong at each other in the closing laps, Viñales was ready to pick up the pieces if