His 2025 in the KTM Tech3 team began in the best of ways, since he was frequently the best among the Mattighofen-based manufacturer's riders. But after his injury at the Sachsenring, which disrupted his season and also his plans, Maverick Viñales was forced to skip several rounds in an attempt to recover. Decidedly fitter than a few weeks ago, the rider from Spain has renewed his ambitions for the future and recently announced his collaboration with Jorge Lorenzo, who'll be supporting him in his technical and physical preparation.
"Recovery is taking a long time, since I ruptured ligaments. Seventy percent of my supraspinatus tendon was injured, along with an injury to the glenoid labrum, which is really the most difficult part to recover, because you have to fix it with stitches, and that makes you lose some mobility," he explained during a Duralavita podcast, before going into even more detail.
But this time, instead of a reporter, Jorge was asking the questions. The following is an excerpt.
How do you feel now?
"Getting on the bike is still complicated. The curious thing is that, when I fell, I barely touched the ground and got up running, full of adrenaline, looking for the other bike, to get back on the track in the last minutes of qualifying. But, then, when I tried to take my glove off, I couldn't, and I didn't understand why. I started touching my collarbone and everything was in place, but when I asked the steward to take off the top of my suit, I saw my shoulder was completely down. In my head, I kept repeating, 'go to the medical center, put it back in, and come back out'. Once ther,e they tried to put it back in place, but they couldn't. So I started getting nervous, the pain was getting worse and worse. They sedated me and, only after, did they fix it and send me to the hospital. At that point, the doctors told me to forget about racing that weekend and the following weekends, as well."
Surgery was the only plausible solution.
"I tried in Austria, which was crazy. I don't even know how I got on the bike. But even at Montmeló, Misano, and Japan it was hard, because I had no strength. I was hoping to recover while I was racing, but it hurt because of the overload. In Valencia, on the other hand, it went well, although I obviously wasn't yet at one hundred percent."
How did it go over the last weekend?
"The FP1 was great. I felt very good. Then, when I went out in practice, after six or seven laps I thought, 'it got hard'. I tried to do the time attack, and it was impossible. Every day, it was getting worse, but I wanted to do the whole weekend. I rested on Monday, and my shoulder improved a lot before the test. Now I'm working in a balanced manner."
Instead, was the test helpful?
It was super concrete. We tested from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. because of track conditions, with the objective of trying out parts and make a selection. I really appreciated that. KTM did a really excellent job."
Who did you inherit your passion for motorcycles from?
"My grandfather was the most passionate in the family, then he passed it on to my uncles, my father. Practically every weekend, we'd go to the tracks with trailers. We'd stay there all the time, have barbecues... the simplicity of going, being with the family, filling the tank, and not stopping until it was empty. Before, everything was more free."
When did you realize you could turn your passion into a career?
"From an early age, I wanted to win. Otherwise, I wasn't happy. However, I began to realize that it could become serious when I moved up to the 125 category, CEV, and European. Practically, as soon as I started, I won a race and had the opportunity to go to the World Championship. There, I realized I could have a career."
In the beginning, you used to dress up during the award ceremonies.
"It was my uncle Evaristo's idea. Maybe he was drawing inspiration from Rossi."
Your path in the Moto2 was short. Was it because of Suzuki's offer?
"I would've liked Honda, but I couldn't refuse. Maybe I should've waited, gained more experience, but it didn't go that badly. The first year in Suzuki, I learned a lot. The second, with a better bike, I got results."
In 2017, you switched to Yamaha.
"I felt it was my chance. In the Valencia test with Lorenzo's bike, identical, only without wings, and I did great times, without even looking for a fast lap, just pace. Later, we went to Sepang. One day only, and I did the track record. I remember saying 'This bike, cover it, and take it to the race. It's more than enough'. They actually brought another bike, but the first races were very good. The tire change and poor grip, however, complicated everything."
How was it with Rossi?
"Fun and surprising. Realizing you were going faster than your idol was strange. But Valentino was super charismatic. He made everyone feel good. He had a huge influence in Yamaha. I learned a lot from him, but it was also difficult. In 2018, they followed a direction that was opposite to mine... Engine, chassis. At Phillip Island, I had a good race because there was grip. But the rest was hard. I kind of regret not staying with Yamaha in 2021 and choosing Aprilia. I would've gained more but, at that time, I wanted a change of scenery and transform the worst bike of the lot."
Have you ever thought about retiring?
Yes, in 2018. I was coming from a year where everything had been going well and, then, all of a sudden, nothing worked. I had no more motivation."
What motivates you to face 2026?
"To win the World Championship. That's my first goal. I'd be the only one to win with four different brands. So, that would be nice. If I can give one hundred percent in every aspect, it'll be possilbe. Talent and speed have often helped me, but now I have to focus on the details to take the final step. I have a great desire to win, and now I feel ready to work on every detail to make it happen. A couple of years ago, it would've been impossible, because I couldn't leave my wife alone with the children. Now I'm determined and very disciplined."