Marco Bezzecchi
Maverick Vinales has had a tough start to life at KTM since leaving Aprilia at the end of the 2024 season.
The Spaniard moved to the satellite KTM team Tech3 alongside Enea Bastianini. The French outfit has moved closer to the factory operation, with Vinales signing a two-year deal, as well as Bastianini, to go alongside Brad Binder and Pedro Acosta.
Vinales was the only non-Ducati rider to win in 2024 – he gives KTM great experience as they look to fight at the front in MotoGP. However, the 30-year-old has had a difficult start to his stint at Tech3.
The Spaniard struggled to get accustomed to the RC16 in the opening races, finishing outside the points on debut in Buriram. Vinales was nowhere in Argentina and Austin, finishing 12th and 14th respectively.
Vinales ‘modified’ his position on the bike at Termas de Rio Hondo to try and match the pace of the other KTM riders. He was desperately struggling to handle the machine, but things drastically changed at the Qatar Grand Prix.
KTM are ‘super happy’ with Maverick Vinales’ start to 2025
The Spaniard put his RC16 sixth on the grid at Lusail and produced arguably the ride of the season on Sunday. Vinales climbed the field and mixed with the Ducatis at the front, even taking the lead at one point.
He looked set to take an unbelievable victory until he suffered a tyre pressure issue. Vinales let Marc Marquez pass for the lead to try and mitigate the issue, but it would not work.
The Tech3 rider came home second but was demoted to 14th after being handed a 16-second penalty. It leaves Vinales on eight points after four rounds and 18th in the standings.
Despite his disappointing points haul thus far, Uri Puigdemont says KTM are ‘super happy’ with Vinales. Speaking via Tank Slappers, the journalist pointed out that the 30-year-old was ‘super impatient’ in pre-season and wanted to get stuck in straight away.
“He’s been working very, very good with his race engineer and KTM is super happy with him.
“He was super impatient during the pre-season, I remember talking with some colleagues and saying: ‘Learning, learning, learning.’
“And I was asking him: ‘OK, we know that you are patient but are the KTM bosses patient as well?’ And he said: ‘It’s not my problem. I mean, I just need to learn, learn, learn.’
“So, if he can keep going like this, it means he’s learning super fast.”
READ MORE: Everything to know about Maverick Vinales from career stats to net worth
Maverick Vinales proved in Qatar he has taken a step forward at KTM
Davide Tardozzi hailed Vinales for his performance in Qatar. It was the first time in 2025 that a non-Ducati rider finished on the podium, until he was penalised.
In fact, it was the first time all season that another manufacturer came close to challenging the Ducatis. KTM will certainly be encouraged by Vinales’ display heading into the next round at Jerez.
Vinales felt ‘at home’ while leading the race in Qatar. KTM will be absolutely delighted, given his struggles on the RC16 in the opening three races.
The Spaniard has clearly taken a step forward at KTM and he will want to continue the momentum into the European season. However, the manufacturer still have work to do as they sit joint bottom of the constructors’ championship with Yamaha.
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