MotoGP Sepang Test: Vinales out for victory, ‘I’m gonna be fast’

Aprilia’s Maverick Viñales is feeling satisfied and up for the MotoGP fight after 2023 pre-season testing concluded at Sepang on Sunday.

The RS-GP rider claimed third in the overall times with a 1’58.036 lap of the Sepang International Circuit. Completing three days on track in Malaysia content with the improvements made and looking forward to the final outing at Portimao ahead of round one next month,

“I’m satisfied,” Viñales confirmed on Sunday evening. “I’m really pleased about the work Aprilia did in the winter.Honestly, I feel the bike much more suitable for my riding style and we improve a lot in some aspects of the bike which I needed last year. That’s something crucial and important for me because I can take a lot of profit. Still there is things to improve but overall, the feeling is good and with a really positive mind for the next test.

“We improve a lot with the connection on the engine and that’s very important,” he continued. “The connection I have when the tyres slide is excellent, right now. It’s what we needed to improve because at the end, my potential of our riding style is acceleration.

“If I can take out the maximum, I’m gonna be fast, I’m sure!”

The Spaniard’s confidence in the upgraded Aprilia package means he’s targeting not just the podium, but repeated race wins this year.

“I think if we give the maximum and we take out all potential from the bike, is possible,” he said of his prospects for victory. “Of course there is still a few things to improve on the bike but I appreciate a lot the job that Aprilia is doing, especially in the winter.”