Spanish ace Maverick Vinales will look to carry his form into the fourth round of the 2024 MotoGP World Championship, the Grand Prix of Spain, held at the Circuit de Jerez, on the afternoon of Sunday 28 April.
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The previous round at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, saw a brilliant showing from Aprilia Racing’s Maverick Vinales, who secured the ‘triple crown’ of pole position, Sprint Race win and Grand Prix triumph.
The result saw the Spaniard rise to third place on the Riders’ Championship standings. The log is topped by Prima Pramac Ducati’s Jorge Martin (80 points), followed by Ducati Lenovo’s Enea Bastianini (59), Vinales (56), Red Bull GasGas Tech3’s Pedro Acosta (54) and reigning world champion Francesco Bagnaia of Ducati Lenovo (50).
“I didn’t have the weapon I have now to overtake,” said former Yamaha and Suzuki pilot Vinales. “Everyone knows very well that in the past I was struggling to be close to the riders.
“But the way I have the bike now and can over-brake; of course it is not easy to pass but I can try and that is fantastic. I have the weapon to try it and that is huge.
“Obviously you can’t always start and lead the race from the first corner so you must fight and all these guys are braking late and fighting, but I’m there fighting.”
Championship leader Martin was disappointed not to claim a podium in Austin, but believes consistency will be important through a long and arduous season: “It's fine to get a fourth position on a track quite complicated for me, and it is not a drama to miss out on the podium for the first time this season.”
Bagnaia started the season with a win in Qatar, but has struggled since and is hopeful that the factory Ducati team can adjust to new challenges and keep him competitive – especially in a race where Martin, Acosta, Vinales, Marc Marquez and Aleix Espargaro (amongst others) will have strong home support from the Spanish fans.
“We have to understand the situation and solve the problems, because like now it’s very difficult,” said the Italian. “The situation is very similar to 2022, when at the start of the season I had to race in ‘defence’. But I know perfectly - all my trust is in my team - that we will solve the problem and be fighting for the top again.”
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Grand Prix of Spain broadcast details, 27-28 April
All times CAT
Saturday 27 April
10:50: MotoGP Qualifying – LIVE on SuperSport Motorsport and SuperSport Maximo 1
15:00: MotoGP Sprint Race – LIVE on SuperSport Motorsport and SuperSport Maximo 1
Sunday 28 April
11:00: Moto3 Race – LIVE on SuperSport Motorsport and SuperSport Maximo 1
12:15: Moto2 Race – LIVE on SuperSport Motorsport and SuperSport Maximo 1
14:00: MotoGP Grand Prix of Spain – LIVE on SuperSport Motorsport and SuperSport Maximo 1