Maverick Viñales Was ‘Every Meter on the Limit’

Aprilia rider pushes through physical pain barrier to claim shock second place at Assen

Maverick Viñales admitted he was “every meter on the limit” as he battled through the physical pain barrier to claim a shock second place for Aprilia at the Dutch TT.

The Spaniard, who has endured a difficult start to his MotoGP career, looked set to finish outside the podium before producing a stunning final lap to demote Ducati’s Jack Miller from third.

Viñales crossed the line just 0.040 seconds behind race winner Francesco Bagnaia, having started from 10th on the grid.

Viñales’s Physical Challenges

The race was made even more remarkable by the fact that Viñales was riding with a fractured ankle, sustained in a training accident last week.

The 27-year-old revealed after the race that he had been in “a lot of pain” throughout, but had been determined to finish as strongly as possible.

“I was every meter on the limit,” said Viñales. “I was pushing so hard, and I was in a lot of pain. But I knew I had to finish the race, and I had to finish it on the podium.”

Aprilia’s Resurgence

Viñales’s performance was a major boost for Aprilia, who have struggled for form in recent seasons.

The Italian manufacturer has made significant progress in 2022, and Viñales’s podium finish is a sign that they are now capable of challenging for race wins.

Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola said: “This is a fantastic result for Maverick and for Aprilia.

“We have been working hard to improve our bike, and it is starting to pay off. I am very proud of Maverick for his performance today.”

Conclusion

Maverick Viñales’s second place finish at the Dutch TT was a remarkable achievement, given the physical challenges he was facing.

The Spaniard’s performance is a sign that Aprilia are on the right track, and that they could be a force to be reckoned with in the second half of the MotoGP season.