MotoGP | Vinales chasing trails: “We lose two tenths on the straight”

The two Aprilia riders returned to the top 10 on Friday of the Italian Grand Prix, moving directly into Q2. Aleix Espargaro closed the top ten group right behind Maverick Vinales, who had his last lap canceled. In the first session at Mugello, however, the rider from Roses set the best time, nominating Aprilia as Ducati’s first rival, even if it’s not all that obvious.

“I think I touched the green a bit on the last lap and they took away my time, otherwise I would have signed the fourth or fifth time, which is not a bad result for being the first day at Mugello,” explained Vinales at the end of the day. “There is incredible equality and it will be a constant struggle. It will be complicated for us because we lack a bit of engine on this track. Behind Ducati and KTM it will be difficult to catch up and pass. On the contrary, they will pass us at the finish line. This will make the race very difficult, but I feel good with the bike.”

Therefore, the only problem for the rider from Roses is the lack of speed of his RS-GP: “Our limit is not in the corners, in the fast ones we turn very well, I throw myself into them as if I had a Moto3. It’s impressive, I have great feelings with the bike. But obviously if we already start the lap losing a tenth on the straight, then in T1, and another in T4, it’s two tenths.”

“On Saturday we go slipstream, you have to stick to the driver who you think is the best on the flying lap. I think it will be important to start from the front, because with a clear track you have many more options than fighting with the riders. It won’t be easy, but we will try to get a good lead to start well on the grid,” explained Maverick, anticipating his strategy in qualifying to be as far ahead as possible.

In terms of pace, the Aprilia rider believes that a little more work needs to be done: “For me, Pecco Bagnaia and Marc Márquez showed excellent pace. I feel very good with the medium rear for Sunday’s race, but with the soft it’s all more complicated, the bike moves more, with the medium I have more stability. Let’s see if we can understand why and improve. Here everyone is going very fast, the Yamaha riders who have done a test are flying. We need to make the most of the soft tyre.”