Maverick Vinales appeared set handy KTM its first MotoGP podium of the 2025 season in Qatar – till a tyre strain penalty cruelly demoted him from second to 14th.
The Spaniard’s gorgeous trip for the Tech3 group was undone by a couple of essential laps spent underneath the minimal tyre strain restrict.
Cooler temperatures and an sudden race lead conspired in opposition to Vinales. However the dramatic late-race tempo of Marc Marquez may additionally have made all of the distinction.
Workforce boss Herve Poncharal defined that Vinales responded to a dashboard warning by opening the door for Marquez to go.
“The issue for us was that Marc then pushed at his most and opened a spot,” Poncharal instructed Crash.internet.
“If Maverick might have been proper on Marc’s exhaust, like Marc was with Alex at Buriram, possibly we might have been OK.”
As a substitute, Vinales was left one or two laps in need of assembly the required 60% of laps above the minimal strain.
The Frenchman added: “We’ve got to just accept the rule and it’s the identical for everybody. So I’ll by no means shout and complain that it was unfair. However sentimentally, it is so troublesome to swallow.”
Vinales leads, 2025 Qatar MotoGP
“The entire group is with him on the bike”
The again story to what appeared like being KTM’s first podium of the season is well-known.
After surviving Pierer Mobility’s winter monetary woes, the RC16 undertaking was plunged straight right into a efficiency disaster as a result of vibration and grip points.
With the long-term way forward for MotoGP undertaking nonetheless unclear, each consequence counts, however KTM arrived in Qatar as the one model with no top-five end.
When Vinales, tenth after an ill-advised tender tyre selection within the Dash race, bolted from sixth to 3rd within the opening laps of the grand prix, the Tech3 group might barely imagine their eyes.
“There’s a enormous effort that goes right into a race weekend,” Poncharal stated. “So when your rider is doing what Maverick was doing… The entire group is with him on the bike, following each sector of each lap.
“Then he crosses the end line in P2, and the group explodes with pleasure and aid.”
The penalty, whereas technically honest, struck an emotional chord.
“Our rider has had one of many rides of his life. To demote him is true on the rule facet, however very arduous on the human facet,” Poncharal added.
“We aren’t robots. This can be a very high-level sport… Typically it’d look a bit chilly from the surface, however always remember the entire group has an actual ardour for this sport. We’re at one with our rider on the bike.
“So it was virtually a despair we have been in after the penalty.”
Maverick Vinales
“One thing I’ve by no means seen in my life”
“Usually, the rider is most affected by these sorts of issues, and it’s important to attempt to cheer him up,” Poncharal continued.
“However Maverick, after every little thing, got here again and instructed the group, ‘Hey guys, smile, we did it! Let’s have a good time.’
“The best way Maverick behaved in that state of affairs is one thing I’ve by no means seen in my life – and I have been right here in racing for nearly half a century!
“Maverick has had a lot dangerous luck in Texas and Qatar, however nonetheless, he was the one making an attempt to carry the environment. He behaved like an actual star… And he proved he’s nonetheless received the identical proper wrist as when he was youthful.
“I’m very proud to have him with me, and I hope we may give him what he deserves. And after what occurred on Sunday, my motivation, which was already excessive, is multiplied by ten.
“My mission is to offer each riders – Maverick and Enea, no person ought to neglect about Enea – the help they deserve as a result of we noticed on Sunday what’s doable.
“This race was an enormous enhance for all of the KTM riders, to indicate them we are able to combat.”
Vinales, Marquez, Bagnaia, 2025 Qatar MotoGP
Marquez, Bagnaia and Tardozzi reward KTM
A cool-down room video captured Marquez and Ducati Lenovo team-mate Francesco Bagnaia praising Vinales and KTM.
“It was very nice to listen to Pecco and Marc amazed by what Maverick and the KTM have been doing,” Poncharal stated. “They talked about the acceleration, the way in which the bike got here out of corners. That’s an enormous enhance for all KTM riders.
“We settle for the penalty, however Maverick crossed the road in P2. We all know the efficiency is there as a result of [the low pressure] did not assist us on observe.
“There have been additionally some good phrases from Davide Tardozzi in parc ferme, who stated to me: ‘Herve, fabulous! We want the opposition.’
“It’s necessary for the championship, and even the profitable producer, to have some competitors and to be challenged.”
Vinales, Marquez, 2025 Qatar MotoGP
Can Vinales and KTM do it once more?
The massive query now could be whether or not Vinales and KTM made a breakthrough or if the celebs aligned completely in Qatar.
The following spherical at Jerez might show pivotal.
“Despite the fact that the sensation in Texas and on Saturday in Qatar was good, we did not anticipate that,” Poncharal admitted.
“We all know Maverick loves Texas. We all know Maverick loves Qatar. We all know the bike was good final 12 months in Texas and Qatar final 12 months. Jerez, Le Mans, Silverstone are very completely different circuits.
“So this can be a massive query mark for us additionally. Jerez particularly is sort of the other of the previous two tracks. But when we might be quick there, it will likely be an excellent sign. That’s what we have to see now.”
