Maverick Vinales is not satisfied with Ducati’s victory

Maverick Vinales Reflects on 2024 MotoGP Victory and Struggles with Aprilia. Maverick Vinales recently admitted his surprise at winning the 2024 MotoGP Americas Grand Prix with a bike he “did not like.” The Spanish rider’s struggles with the Aprilia RS-GP 2024 made his victories even more puzzling, particularly his first grand prix win with Aprilia in Austin. Despite these challenges, Vinales showcased his talent by becoming the first rider in the modern era to stand on the podium with three different manufacturers.

Unexpected Success with a Challenging Bike

Vinales began the 2024 MotoGP season with high hopes after securing his first sprint race victory in Portugal. This momentum continued with his stunning win at the Americas GP in Austin, marking Aprilia’s only grand prix victory of the season and the sole non-Ducati win in a 20-round campaign.

However, Vinales admitted his discomfort with the RS-GP 2024, a machine he struggled to adapt to throughout the year:

• Victory Despite Challenges: The Austin win, alongside his Portugal sprint triumph, seemed contradictory to the difficulties he faced with the Aprilia. “We don’t understand why we were so competitive in Portimao and Austin,” Vinales said, highlighting the unpredictability of the results.
• Season Performance: After Austin, Vinales managed only two more podium finishes, ending the season in seventh place in the championship standings.

Disappointment with Aprilia’s Development

Reflecting on the 2024 campaign, Vinales expressed regret over Aprilia’s design direction for the RS-GP 2024. He felt that the updates made the bike less stable and harder to handle compared to the 2023 model:

1. Missed Opportunities with the 2023 Bike: Vinales revealed that he had requested minimal changes to the 2023 bike, which he felt was stable and competitive. “I just wanted better starts and a bit more downforce,” he explained, believing these tweaks could have kept him competitive with Ducati.
2. Challenges with the 2024 RS-GP: The new bike failed to meet his expectations, leaving him struggling to adapt. By the time Aprilia realized the issues, it was too late to reverse course. “I had to ride the entire year with a bike I didn’t like,” Vinales said.

Looking Ahead: Transition to KTM in 2025

Vinales is set to leave Aprilia and join Tech3 KTM for the 2025 season. During the post-season testing at the GP Solidarity, he completed 74 laps on the KTM RC16 and ranked 12th overall. Despite his middling times, Vinales expressed excitement about the bike’s potential, hinting at a fresh start with the Austrian manufacturer.

Maverick Vinales: A Tale of Resilience and Talent

The 2024 MotoGP season highlighted both the struggles and the brilliance of Maverick Vinales. His ability to secure wins and podiums despite discomfort with his bike underscores his exceptional skill as a rider. While his time with Aprilia ends on a bittersweet note, his transition to KTM marks the beginning of a new chapter filled with potential.

As fans eagerly await the 2025 season, Vinales’ journey serves as a reminder of the complexities of MotoGP, where even the best riders must adapt to unpredictable challenges.