Marco Bezzecchi
KTM chief Pit Beirer has admitted that his ‘patience’ for Maverick Vinales’ ongoing injury issues at the Austrian constructor’s satellite brand, Tech3, has now ‘run out’.
Earlier this week, it was announced that Maverick Vinales wouldn’t be travelling to Jerez to compete in the Spanish Grand Prix this weekend after undergoing surgery last month to fix a displaced screw in his left shoulder.
The Spaniard withdrew from the United States Grand Prix last month and was hoping to utilise the four-week break in between the Austin and Jerez rounds of the 2026 calendar to make a full recovery, after it was reported that Vinales was hiding his shoulder issues from KTM.
Instead, Top Gun is now eyeing a comeback at the French Grand Prix in May, with the hopes of mounting a comeback after taking a leave of absence while being at the very bottom of the riders’ standings for full-time competitors.
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The original injury to his left shoulder occurred at last year’s German Grand Prix. He was forced onto the sidelines for three rounds, before making a return at Barcelona two months later.
Unfortunately, the issue seemingly cropped up again, and Vinales was forced into another stint on the sidelines after withdrawing from the Indonesian Grand Prix later on in the year.
While pre-season testing didn’t throw up any signs of discomfort for the 31-year-old, his results in the first two rounds of the year indicated that something wasn’t quite right.
After it was announced he would miss the race weekend in Texas, MotoGP fans expressed their concerns over Vinales’ future in the premier class.
- READ MORE: Maverick Vinales could drop off MotoGP grid completely after KTM ‘suspended’ 2027 agreement
Pit Beirer admits his ‘patience’ with Maverick Vinales’ ongoing injury issues has ‘run out’
During an interview with Speedweek, the KTM boss Pit Beirer expressed his annoyance with Vinales seemingly neglecting a full recovery.
The German said, “He came back too soon. He told us, along with his doctor and physiotherapists, that he was fit. But he wasn’t fit for the first five, six, seven races after his return. He was lying to himself.
“It was his first injury in MotoGP ever. He probably didn’t know how to listen to his body with that kind of injury and pain. We started too soon. Then you’re riding in pain, and you lose the feel for the bike.
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“Suddenly, the same motorcycle that was great a few races ago isn’t great anymore. Getting that confidence back in a MotoGP rider is incredibly difficult.
“The feeling for the front wheel to turn in under braking at 350 km/h – you need confidence for that. He’s lost that, and the longer he rides in pain, the worse it gets.”
Beirer didn’t mince his words when noting that he simply won’t allow Vinales to return to action unless he is 100% fit. He added, “Now my patience has run out, because I no longer care whether he thinks he’s fit.
“I’ll hang him from the ceiling and want to see 20 pull-ups and push-ups, plus a headstand and a handstand. It has to be clear that he’s not in pain.”
- READ MORE: Paddock ‘sources’ say Maverick Vinales’ relationship with Jorge Lorenzo has already hit a ‘bump’
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