MotoGP, Maverick Viñales, Yamaha: “me, favorite for the title? It's still too early to tell."

This is one of the impressions that emerged from the MotoGP tests this offseason: the Yamahas are doing better. And we would even be tempted to say that they would walk almost as on the best day. However, they have come a long way and everything remains fragile. Valentino Rossi is the first to calm his troops, even if some see him ahead in the race, like Meregalli. But what about Viñales? He finished the tests in the best possible way, in the lead and what's more on the field of the first Grand Prix of the year. However…

This week-end, Maverick Vinales will return to the route he dominated at the end of this offseason. He will therefore be in a good frame of mind. But an official meeting is something other than a test. Morale is certainly up, the numbers in the box have been reviewed and corrected according to their wishes, a new number has been adopted to exorcise the evil eye. But everything remains to be done.

And the 24-year-old Spaniard is fully aware of this. He thus declares on speedweek : " it will be very tight this year. There are so many factory motorcycles now. Sometimes it will even be difficult to reach the second part of qualifying on Saturday. I think sometimes we will have our problems too, but we are in a good position ».

Does the MV12 see itself as a favorite in the title race? “ It's too early. We were leading the test in Doha, strong and consistent, but that was just the test. We have to wait for the race. I think if we find the necessary grip we will be very strong ».

In 1'54,208 min, the Yamaha factory rider Maverick Vinales set the best time in the IRTA tests on the Losail international circuit. He also dominated the Valencia exercise. He finished fourth at Jerez and fifth at Sepang.