Maverick Vinales Sees Improvement in Malaysian MotoGP Practice

Maverick Vinales experienced a notable improvement in his performance during the MotoGP Malaysian Grand Prix practice on Friday, primarily due to reduced pain in his injured shoulder. The Tech3 KTM rider, who has faced challenges since his injury at the German Grand Prix in 2025, achieved a top 10 time for the first time this year.

This comeback follows a difficult start at the Japanese Grand Prix earlier this month. Vinales credited a new pain management treatment, including injections, for his progress since the Australian Grand Prix. He acknowledged that while he still feels some pain, it is lessening, allowing him to regain physical strength.

Vinales expressed optimism about his performance in the remaining races of the season, aiming for a pain-free experience by the final events in Portimao and Valencia. He noted that his bike requires aggressive riding to perform well, and he is working on adapting his style to maximize his potential.