Returning rider Viñales after 850cc test: “Like a Moto2 with a big engine”

The 2026 MotoGP season heads to Japan for its 16th round, seven of which took place without KTM Tech3 rider Maverick Vinales. The Catalan started the year in high spirits, but threw in the towel after the first two events – ‘Top Gun’ was still struggling with the shoulder injury he’d sustained in the summer of 2025.

Vinales made his comeback at his home circuit in Catalunya. An 11th-place finish offered hope, but his feel for the bike and his pace simply wouldn’t return. Following the German Grand Prix and a bitter run of zero points, the plug was pulled once again – and more besides. For, in addition to his on-track performance, the partnership had now also become unbalanced with a view to 2027. Frustrated at not securing what he believed to be a guaranteed place at Red Bull KTM Factory, Viñales has now turned down KTM. It has therefore been clear since the summer break that the 850cc era will take place without the experienced MotoGP winner.

Lange her: Vinales fuhr seine KTM RC16 zuletzt auf dem Sachsenring

Foto: Gold and Goose

However, as Viñales clearly has no intention of retiring, he is trying to make his mark again in the final stretch of the season. All the conditions appear to be in place, and KTM is also keen to have Viñales, rather than Pol Espargaró, on the grid – the focus has long been on developing the 850cc bikes for 2027.

A bike on which Viñales has now also gained some experience. “I was very relieved to be able to take part in the test at Spielberg. Going into the race without any testing at all, after two months without a MotoGP bike, wouldn’t have been good. The test went very well, partly because the bike is fantastic. It’s like a Moto2 bike with a powerful engine. I also pushed it for a full sprint distance – the feeling was really good – it showed me why I’m part of MotoGP.”

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And how is Maverick Viñales getting on? His answer was two-fold: “To be honest, I had a fantastic time at home. Being with my family and training a lot, rather than travelling a lot, did me a world of good. I did miss my MotoGP bike, though. I also deliberately didn’t do much training on the bike. I wanted to focus on my shoulder and make absolutely sure I didn’t move it the wrong way.”

More grip means more effort

Vinales continued: “I think it’ll be fine at Motegi. It certainly won’t be perfect yet, but it’ll be good enough that it makes sense to ride. I’ll probably have more problems with my forearms and neck. The fact that the track has new tarmac won’t make it any easier – the grip is likely to be even higher.”

Speaking quite openly ahead of FP1 at Motegi, Viñales also addressed his sobering starting position for 2027: “The fact is, there’s simply no place for me right now. But that doesn’t mean it’s over. I still see myself as a MotoGP rider and will work towards racing here. There’s nothing more to say at the moment, but the story isn’t over for me and I’ll be physically capable of riding in MotoGP in the future – especially with the 850s, which make it easier.»

At 31, Viñales could remain active for several more years. However, offers – from whichever paddock they may come – will only materialise once the number 12’s form is assured. The only way forward is to press on. Sitting 22nd in the World Championship standings, Viñales has long since got nothing left to lose. What matters most to the still-KTM rider is evident from his closing remark: “But the most important thing is to be in top form!”