Viñales: “Today we paid the biggest price”

Having been fast in the dry, Maverick Viñales (Team Suzuki Ecstar) was unable to replicate his speed in the wet. Despite their strong results, Suzuki and Viñales are still learning the GSX-RR and a lack of experience in the wet hindered them at the Motul TT Assen. Viñales was unable to get higher than 13th place during the race before it was red flagged as a result of a torrential downpour.

Viñales was hopeful of making more progress in the restart with new tyres fitted but had the same lack of confidence in the bike that had plagued him before. He managed to remain upright, an achievement in itself given the conditions, and eventually crossed the line in ninth place. Ninth is Viñales’ worst finish of 2016, the first time he has failed to finish a race inside the top six. With Pol Espargaro (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) taking fourth in the race, Viñales holds onto fifth in the championship but only by seven points.

Maverick Viñales: “Unfortunately the rain was not a big deal for us, we lack in experience and today we paid the biggest price. We were pretty competitive in the dry, but when rain arrived we couldn’t find a proper set-up to have a machine that could make me comfortable. I suffered a lot during both legs of the race, and I’m sad for this because I felt we could have had a good chance in the dry. Unfortunately, we still have a lot to learn and grow when we are in rain conditions, we are all learning, but for sure this result is under our expectations; although being well into the points is a positive thing.”