Yamaha's Maverick Vinales has arrived in Montmeló in a good mood, after a mature ride at the Mugello Circuit last weekend that saw him extend his lead in the championship to 26 points with a well-deserved second place finish, giving him a healthy margin as he commences the seventh round of the 2017 MotoGP season this weekend.
The young Spaniard is looking to ride his YZR-M1 onto the rostrum in front of his home fans.
He has previously achieved four consecutive podium finishes here in the lower classes, with a second place in 125cc (2011), a first and third place in the Moto3 championship (2012 and 2013), and a second position in Moto2 (2014).
In the MotoGP class he scored his best result last year, finishing just off the steps in fourth place and setting a circuit record lap of 1‘45.971s, so he fancies his chances to add another top result to his résumé this weekend.
“Montmeló is a very special track for me as it is my home Grand Prix,” he said. “It‘s a really good track for me and for my riding style and I hope also for the bike. We are in a good flow, having gained good momentum, so we are strong and confident and we have many set-ups in case one won't work and for that reason I arrive to Montmeló really motivated. We will try to obtain as many points as we can and we will try to stand on the podium at the end of it, but to do so we have to be smart, also with the tyre selection.”
