MotoGP Netherlands J3, Maverick Vinales (KTM/5): "I don't think I've ever started 10th and finished 5th"

Slowly but surely, Maverick Vinales is returning to the top MotoGP riders ; it was still visible in the Netherlands, one of his favorite circuits, where he had a magnificent Grand Prix. Starting 10th, he struggled for a long time behind the Ducati VR46 duo of Fabio Di Giannantonio and Franco Morbidelli. But once they were overtaken, he broke away, finishing fifth, the first privateer.

"SuperMav" – his nickname for the weekend – impressed again in Assen Cathedral. He is very satisfied with this result and his progress: « We can fight from the back of the grid, which is very important, because qualifying doesn't determine the weekend.. Obviously, I could have fought higher. But I also think I've never started tenth and finished fifth in MotoGP, so it's very positive for me, it gives me confidence. We still have to improve, so I'm focused on how to take the last step." could we read in the columns of Motosan.

 

 

At Assen, the KTM RC16 was quite comfortable, as evidenced by Pedro Acosta's fourth place. At one point, Maverick thought he might even be able to catch him. « Yes, I thought I could do it.I realized I was riding at exactly the same pace, doing exactly the same times. But I missed the time I lost there overtaking the VR46s. I lost three or four seconds.His result shows that we are on the right track and that the bike has potential. It's very positive, I always say that. We have to try to make everyone on KTM fast to continue improving. Pedro had a very good race. I saw that we both did practically the same thingWe were there, then we lost ground when the tires failed." he added.

 

 

He had a very precise strategy, but this was somewhat disrupted by the premature wear of his tires. « My strategy was to maintain a constant pace until the end, which I think was the best, when I was sixth or seventh. But my tires lost a lot of performance; I had nothing left in the last five laps. I still have a long way to go; I have to learn with this bike, understand where to make the best time and not waste tires. It is therefore very important to analyze this race well. he concluded.

Do you think Maverick Vinales can claim victories before the end of the year? Tell us in the comments!

 2025 MotoGP Dutch Grand Prix result:

 

 

Classification credit: MotoGP.com

Cover photo: KTM