RiderTua.com – With his victory at the American GP with Aprilia, Maverick Vinales became the first rider to win races with three different manufacturers in MotoGP, even a rider like Valentino Rossi couldn’t do it.
Neil Hodgson said, “But to prove himself as a true championship contender, he has to prove with consistency and mindset. A lack of form, took him down the path that Vinales has gone down. That’s why he’s at Aprilia.”
Maverick Vinales Inconsistent, Team Running Out of Patience?
Neil Hodgson added that Vinales had been in three manufacturers because he was not strong enough in the first factory. The reality was his inconsistency within the team and eventually the team ran out of patience with him.
“That’s the reality we see. His speed? He’s as fast as the fastest guy in this paddock. Everything is 10 out of 10. But we have to be mentally strong in MotoGP. Unfortunately, a little weakness means he has a drop in form. I struggled with Maverick because I was trying to solve the puzzle that puzzle,” added Hodgson.
Meanwhile, Sylvain Guintoli explained, “I liked what I saw in Maverick and Aprilia. When he was at Suzuki, he got his first win at Silverstone then he was contracted by Yamaha to lead their project in MotoGP. He was very fast, extraordinary in tests pre-season but it was never consistent and ended in tears.”
Guintoli continued that when he joined Aprilia, he thought it was just a gamble but it started to pay off. Maverick is confident, but can have ups and downs mentally. Vinales has a unique character and he is the only rider like that.
Hodgson added: “He’s too good. We need his killer instinct and selfishness on the track to beat the best.”
Vinales is ranked 5th in the MotoGP standings after the first 4 series of the 2024 season, 29 points behind leader Jorge Martin (Pramac). At his home race in Jerez, Vinales was only P9 and that was not an ideal result for him after winning in Texas.
But so far Vinales has been able to fight at the front all season, with the very competitive Aprilia now Ducati’s main challenger.
