After a disappointing opening to the 2019 MotoGP™ World Championship, Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP’s Maverick Viñales is hoping to pick up his second podium of the season when he visits the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya this weekend.
Viñales is yet to podium at his home Grand Prix in the premier class, his best finish on a MotoGP™ machine coming in the form of a P4 in 2016 while riding for Suzuki. However, in the lightweight and intermediate classes, the Figueres-born rider had a 100% podium record in Barcelona.
In his debut World Championship season in 2011, Viñales earned a P3 in the 125cc race and a year later in Moto3™, he stormed to a 7.7 second win from pole position. A third place came his way in 2013 and in his debut Moto2™ season in 2014, Viñales secured P2 in front of his home fans.
“I can’t wait to be at my home GP,” said Viñales, looking ahead to Round 7 of the season. “Montmeló is a very special track for me, it’s a circuit that I really like and enjoy. There I can feel all the support of my fans, it has an amazing atmosphere. I hope that I can respond with a good result, and why not with a podium?
“That’s always our goal. Mugello was a very difficult race because it was very physically demanding. We have to keep working hard to be able to find the sweet spot of the bike, so we’ll be able to continue fighting to be towards the top of the standings. So let's keep focused, and we’ll show the best side of us for our fans.”
Viñales was the leading Yamaha rider at Mugello last time out. A repeat of that feat would go down nicely for the 24-year-old, but he’ll be hoping it’ll be a P1, P2 or P3 next to his name on Sunday afternoon – not a P6.