«In Aprilia as in the family, but I still have a special relationship with Rossi»- Corriere.it

Second fastest of the day behind Jack Miller on Ktm, Maverick Vinales warms up the engine of his Aprilia, he was hired last year to fight for the title. “I went very fast, I feel the confidence.” The first day of the resumption of the championship confirmed the high level of the Italian bikes and the dangerousness of the Portuguese track: a very bad accident for Pol Espargarò, who was transported to hospital in Faro with injuries to his chest and spine.

Maverick, why are you more confident this year?
«Because the team has leveled up. I see the right potential to fight for what I’ve been chasing for some time».

What is it chasing?
“I want to make the most of every situation.”

How has the bike improved?
«In acceleration, it is fundamental for my driving style. It will make the difference on the flying lap and starting up front will be important, with the Sprint Races».

You love cycling, where does this passion come from?
«From my grandfather: he used to pick me up from school and put me on the saddle saying that I had to weigh little if I wanted to ride a motorbike. Pedaling relaxes me, I feel the need».

You also follow racing, who is your favorite racer?
«Remco Evenepoel (will be the star of the Giro d’Italia 2023 ed), they call him the pit bull, which is also my nickname. Because I have explosive muscles in my legs».

What makes Aprilia different from other teams?
«The way of working, here I see an evolution and I understand where we are going. It’s very motivating.”

A very strong start in the MotoGP with Suzuki and Yamaha then difficult years, did you give an explanation?
«On a technical level it was not what I needed. One day I was first and the other 15th, I didn’t understand anything. And no one could explain it to me. They took away my desire. Here in Aprilia, however, there is always an answer to everything».

What boss is Massimo Rivola?
“He tells the truth even when it’s uncomfortable. If I have doubts or if I don’t feel well I talk to him, he is always helpful. We also ride motorcycles together».

Feels like family…
“A family of people who live for racing. Elsewhere I saw more business, here there is real passion, hunger and the will to win. Here everyone, from the cook to the waiter, feels important and useful».

Would winning taste different?
“That would be the icing on the cake. I’m sure we can do it.”

What did they tell you with this name at school?
«Nothing, because in the end they got used to it immediately. And then I’ve been seeing the same friends for 20 years.”

Have you seen the sequel to «Top Gun»?
“I was invited to a private preview. Maybe I deserved it…”

Isn’t that too many 21 Sprint Races?
«In Superbike they do Sprint Race, race and race 2. They will be busy Saturdays».

As soon as he arrived at Yamaha, Vinales immediately beat Rossi. What memories do you have?

«I had a special relationship with Vale. He was my idol as a child, has become a friend. We still write to each other today. I learned a lot from him.”

Ready for a Top Gun season?
«Very ready, the start is not bad. No?”.