MotoGP: Vinales storms to Australian GP success to end Yamaha’s win drought

Maverick Vinales took Australian Grand Prix honours on Sunday afternoon at Phillip Island, putting in a dazzling display to end the winless run that Yamaha had endured since Assen last season. The Spaniard started from 2nd on the grid but his traditional horror start saw him drop back as low as 10th in the opening turns.

Having battled his way up the order and staying clear of the carnage between Marc Marquez and Johann Zarco at turn one, Vinales was leading by lap eight and he would go on to win the Grand Prix unchallenged.

There was a major scrap for 2nd position however, with Valentino Rossi, Andrea Dovizioso, Andrea Iannone, Alex Rins and Ducati’s revelation substitute rider Alvaro Bautista banging fairings and looking to complete the podium.

At the line however, it was Iannone, who held off Andrea Dovizioso – the Italians flanking Movistar Yamaha’s Maverick Vinales. Alvaro Bautista was an incredible 4th, whilst Alex Rins got the beating of Valentino Rossi to complete the top five.

“This is the best feeling ever, honestly! We’ve been in the dark all year, and suddenly we came into the light! I couldn’t show my potential in the previous races, but today I could. Being first in Australia is always amazing! It’s the best track ever, and I like to be at the front there,” said Vinales – taking his first win since the French GP last year.

“To win here and break this long none winning period of Yamaha is unbelievable! I was riding on the bike like I was in FP4. I got a really good feeling from the bike, so I knew I could maintain 1’29s. That’s what I did for most of the middle of the race. I tried to escape as far as I could, because I knew my tyre wasn’t going to last until the end.

“I knew opening that gap would be difficult, I had some moments with some riders, and some shaking on the bike – I was struggling, but I still made it through anyway. It was amazing! I have to say ‘thank you’ to the team, because this weekend they worked for the win. We will try to be the best and we’ll try to work in a good way. We don’t want to lose the concentration, because we don’t know what will happen in Malaysia, but for sure the level of motivation will be high after this weekend.”

Vinales consolidates his 4th place in the championship, with just 15 points separating him from teammate Rossi with two rounds to go. Vinales can also still mathematically take 2nd in the championship, with 30 points between himself and Andrea Dovizioso.