Maverick Viñales returns after shoulder surgery: "Not easy staying on the couch"

Back in competition after missing the last two races of the season MotoGPMaverick Viñales now wants to put the difficult months behind him and approach the Catalan Grand Prix with caution. After his second shoulder surgery to remove a displaced screw, the KTM rider explains that he has finally regained a more normal feeling, far from the physical limitations that had hampered him since the start of the season.

The Tech3 rider, who spent the last few weeks at the Athletes' Performance Centre of Red Bull To regain strength and mobility, he felt this intervention was essential to get back on track. Watching the races from home, however, was no easy feat.

“Yes, [I had to be patient], especially when I see my teammates doing so well,” he confided to the media on Thursday on the sidelines of the first sessions in Catalonia. It was a very difficult time staying on the sofa. Removing the screw and cleaning all the joints was essential. Despite some initial discomfort, he now feels ready: "There's a muscle that's still lengthening, but that's because they're using all the machines and everything else. Basically, they've damaged the muscle to be able to get inside. And that takes time. But I feel like I have strength."

A gentler return to Catalonia for Maverick Viñales

Maverick Viñales strongly insisted on this return to Montmeló, in order to avoid a too abrupt return to a more demanding circuit like Mugello (Italy), the seventh round of the calendar scheduled for the weekend of May 31st. Before the event, he hadn't accumulated many laps on any motorcycle, but was able to reassure himself during a few practice sessions.

"I rode a supermoto, He continues. It's not the same, it gives very different sensations, but it allows me to compare it with my previous sensations in the same discipline. Before, I always had something holding me back; when I got off the bike, I felt strange. Now, I feel normal, which is a good sign.

The rider knows that this weekend will primarily serve as a test to gauge the reaction of his shoulder and regain his rhythm, without getting ahead of himself regarding his immediate performance. At the same time, he confirms that his relationship with KTM remains good, while reiterating that his future will depend mainly on his ability to return to 100% and regain his form.

“I still have a year left on my contract, which KTM has the right to extend. That’s how it is. I have to wait and see. Obviously, my main objective, and KTM’s too, is to see if I recover. If I don’t recover, I can be the best guy in the world [they won’t keep me], it’s still business and racing… If I do recover, then that’s a different story. I know I can recover. But when? In 2030? That’s a bit too far off, clearly. I know I’m a racehorse, but if I’m injured, I can’t pretend to be pretty. I have to work.”, concludes Maverick Viñales on a humorous note.

During the first Free Practice session of the Catalan Grand Prix, the local rider didn't disgrace himself, despite a difficult session. He finished one second off the pace, in 19th position, and three-tenths of a second behind the second-worst KTM.

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