Viñales: “The 2nd half of the season is going to be crucial"

After a four-week break, the young-gun Spaniard is itching to be back on track for round 10 of MotoGP™

As the Monster Energy Grand Prix České Republiky at the Automotodrom Brno rapidly approaches, Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha) can hardly wait to get the show on the road. The Spanish rider arrives in the Czech Republic at second place in the championship standings, only five points from Marc Marquez in first, and with a hunger to reclaim the number one spot.

Feeling refreshed after four weeks of training and well-deserved time with family and friends, Viñales is ready to commence the title challenge for the second half of the season. He has stood on the Czech podium once before in 2013, having secured second place in Moto3™ – and his best finish so far in Brno for the premier-class is ninth.

Teammate Valentino Rossi, all combined, has stood on the podium in Brno 14 times, making him a tough challenger to bet against. However, Viñales is ahead of the Italian in the overall results, and will be a determined contender for a strong podium finish in his first year on a Yamaha.

Brno has had motorcycle racing on its calendar since 1930, while the first Grand Prix was held in 1965. Originally competitors would ride 500cc bikes through the villages and western parts of the city on a 13.94km road track, until the new circuit was built during the 1980s. In 1987 the 5.4km Automotodrom track, with its six left corners and eight right, hosted its first FIM Czech Grand Prix – a popular track with both fans and riders thanks to its great atmosphere and location.

Maverick Viñales: “I've enjoyed the summer break a lot. I spent it with friends and family, but now I can‘t wait to be back aboard my Yamaha YZR-M1 again. We have to be focused on the second half of the season as it is going to be crucial if we want to fight for the championship title. There is no room for mistakes. I've been training during these weeks to be ready for Brno and Austria, two tracks that I really like and where I think that I can be strong.”