Aleix Espargaro recalls what Maverick Vinales ‘couldn’t understand’ about the Apria after leaving Yamaha.

Between 2017 and 2021, Vinales rode for Yamaha, where he had a strong position with 24 podiums and eight race wins.

Prove them wrong: KTM thinks Maverick Vinales is the perfect replacement for Pedro Acosta

However, Vinales’ performance level has dropped significantly since his move to Aprilia midway through the 2021 season, with just one win during his time there.

He must ask why. Maverick Vinales After leaving Yamaha, his ratings dropped, especially considering his initial reaction to the Aprilia Speed. Alex Espargaro.

Read more: All the fans are saying the same thing about the injury that forced Maverick Vinales out of the United States GP

Aleix Espargaro revealed how Maverick Vinales was confused by the pace of the Aprilia after the Yamaha.

Speaking on In the glove box podcast, Aleix Espargaro tells the story of trying to convince Maverick Vinales to join Aprilia from Yamaha.

At that time, Viñales tried to test the bike, but he was surprised by how slow the bike was given, how much Espargaro was at the time.

“I remember convincing Maverick to join him at Aprilia when he was winning races at Yamaha. When he first rode a bike…

“That bike wasn’t that bad. I was on the podium. But it was coming from Yamaha. So I was like, ‘Wow, what is this bike? I don’t understand how you do it, I don’t understand how fast you are.’

Vinales then believed that Espargaro had an advantage that had nothing to do with the bike, and began to investigate the same.

Read more: Maverick Vinales could drop MotoGP grid entirely after KTM ‘suspended’ 2027 deal

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Maverick Vinales was shocked by Aprilia’s technological advances

Maverick Vinales questioned how Aleix Espargaro managed to be so easy on him, but the Aprilia outfit was reportedly well-prepared to keep the riders light.

“So at that time he started taking care of his equipment, all the things, all the details to try to match me. I remember we went to the wind tunnel, on the scale, to jump on the bike. And he was two kilos heavier than me. And he was very small.

“‘That’s impossible, I’m too fit.’ ‘I am more qualified than you,’ I said. ‘No, it’s impossible!’ Then he weighed the suit. And he said, ‘I think my clothes are one point six kilos lighter than his.’ ‘Yes, this dress is amazing!’ I told him.

“He said, ‘Yes, but you can’t be protected.’

One of the worst crashes of my career was over 300 laps. I walked into the garage unscathed and he realized, ‘Oh, I think your clothes are very classy.’

With all these advantages at Aprilia, Maverick Viñales could not find success during his time there. After four years with the group, Vinales left to join them KTM.

very recently, Vinales had to withdraw from the United States GP Due to a shoulder injury. The hope is that he can find some of his Yamaha form when he returns to the team.