Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) says his podium in the Monster Energy Grand Prix České republiky was important for the Championship, and by the season finale in Valencia he may well be right. Coming home ahead of two key rivals - teammate Valentino Rossi and Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) - and not far behind two more, Repsol Honda's Dani Pedrosa and Marc Marquez, the points could prove crucial.
Qualifying seventh and pitting a little late to switch to slicks, Viñales then charged back up through the field to secure a comfortable third - keeping himself second in the standings with his second half heroics.
Maverick Viñales, P3: “This weekend was very tough, then luckily on the grid the sun started to come out. On the rain tyre I was feeling good, but I was already thinking after two laps maybe I should go in but there were too many people, so maybe I went in a lap too late. Warming up the slicks was difficult but then the bike felt good again. I was feeling great in the last laps and I’m happy to have that back. It’s important to be back on the podium for confidence and motivation, and it’s important for the Championship. Today we recovered a lot of feelings and tomorrow the test will be important.”