Maverick Vinales is still struggling with his shoulder and is a doubt for this weekend’s US Grand Prix, according to a report.
Vinyls After suffering a complicated shoulder injury at the German GP, he missed 14 races last year (including the Sprints). He initially tried to make a comeback at the Catalan GP, but after struggling through three weekends at Valencia, he withdrew until the end of the season.
Top Gun is expected to make a full recovery after participating fully in pre-season testing. But now it appears that the joint is giving him trouble.
Maverick Vinales likely to miss US Grand Prix
As he says Motorsport SpainVinales was in ‘extreme pain’ at the end of the Brazilian Grand Prix weekend. He was the eventual winner, ranked 18th.
Vinales is expected to compete with Pedro Acosta This year, however, he struggled near the back of the pack in the opening two rounds. Maybe it’s the cause of the shoulder discomfort.
The 31-year-old plans to participate in practice this weekend in Austin and work with his surgeons to decide whether to complete the weekend. Vinales knows that ‘pushing himself too much’ aggravates the injury, which is still not fully healed.
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due to The Qatar GP has been extendedAfter the third round there is a gap of four weeks in the programme. That means it can be a very important time to take a break.
Interestingly, the Motorsport report added that Vinales did not want to ‘publicize’ his physical struggles, although they partly explained his poor start. KTM is careful not to give and Tech3 An ‘excuse’ to keep him away.
Last year, Vinales had to give up some of his salary due to the number of matches he missed and he does not want to re-trigger that clause in his contract.
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KTM test rider Pol Espargaro could be called into action again if Vinales’ problems continue. Espargaro, who will retire from full-time racing at the end of the 2023 season, competed in five races last season.
Meanwhile, rumors are being heard. Vinales relationship with Jorge Lorenzo It is under stress. MotoGP legend Lorenzo only started coaching his compatriot during the season.
Now it seems that they are more and more likely to end the event in the near future. Vinales is hoping to join the KTM factory team for 2027 but unless he stabilizes his form, Pete Beyer will have to rethink those plans.
Tech3 owner Guenter Steiner can’t be happy if he feels Vinales hasn’t fully arrived.
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