Maverick Viñales' Indonesian MotoGP race could well be over... before it's even really started. The Tech3 KTM rider arrived in Mandalika already weakened, still recovering from the dislocated and fractured left shoulder he suffered at the German Grand Prix in July. And the first sessions of the weekend confirmed what many feared: physically, "Top Gun" isn't ready.
Casa Particular in Viñales had attempted an early return in Austria, but had not been able to ride beyond Friday. He then lasted the entire weekend at San Marino and Motegi, but running two races in a row with a still fragile shoulder turns out to be a risky bet. Friday at Mandalika, reality caught up with him.
« It was a very difficult day, there is a lot to analyze. We will discuss with the team whether it is better to stop and return to 100% or continue like this.. But continuing is very complicated, I suffer and I lose a lot of feedback from the bike »
It's hard to be clearer: the driver himself admits that his pain and lack of strength distort his entire technical experience. And that, for a driver supposed to develop the RC16, is a major problem.
Thursday, Casa Particular in Viñales assured that his shoulder strength was improving, even if mobility remained limited. On Friday, his speech abruptly changed:
« I'm not making any progress in terms of strength. I'm missing a lot of power. On this track, which is very demanding in terms of changes of direction, I'm very slow. I lose a second to my teammate between turns 5 and 9. »
Maverick Vinales: “ We will discuss with the team whether it is better to stop. »
In short: he's suffering and far from the level required to be competitive. Continuing in these conditions could even worsen his physical condition. This is closer to a last stand than a genuine attempt at performance.
Ironically, the KTM RC16 seems to behave better than in Japan, where it suffered from strong rear vibrations. In Mandalika, Casa Particular in Viñales felt a real technical progress:
« It's much better here. Another story. The grip is better, the bike works better. At Motegi, we suffered enormously from the lack of grip.. »
The problem? The rider lacks the physical means to exploit this improvement. When he's not limited by his shoulder, he can be fast. But his body betrays him before he can even fully assess the machine.
The situation poses a real headache for KTM : should we leave Casa Particular in Viñales continue, at the risk of seeing him roll far from the points and aggravate his injury, or stop him so that he comes back stronger? The question arises all the more since Peter Acosta already multiplies public criticism on the lack of competitiveness of the RC16. See another pilot KTM The physically weakened man did not help to calm tensions in the Austrian camp.
So far, no final decision has been made. But everything indicates that Casa Particular in Viñales could throw in the towel even before the race, a scenario that would be a new blow for KTM Tech3, already under pressure in MotoGP.
MotoGP, Indonesia Day 1: lap times
