Vinales: This podium is very emotional

Team Suzuki Ecstar achieved their first podium at the Twin Ring Motegi since Kenny Roberts Jr. won the 2000 500cc Pacific Grand Prix, after Maverick Vinales took the chequered flag in third place.

The Spanish rider didn’t have the best of qualifying sessions. Struggling to find a good balance on his GSX-RR, Vinales qualified down in seventh place and behind teammate Aleix Espargaro.

Much happier with the bike on Sunday, Vinales was able to ride more comfortably which ultimately allowed him to fight up at the sharp-end in the 24-lap Grand Prix. An average start left the Suzuki rider with plenty of work to do, though he opted to remain cautious and conserve his rubber in order to make a fight of things later in the race.

This is exactly what happened. As his teammate Espargaro pushed hard ahead of him, Vinales used the extra grip he had saved to reel him in towards the back-end of the race, making a move for third with six laps to go at Turn 7. He made the pass stick, but was unable to improve on the position and settled for third.

Nonetheless, the Spaniard was left feeling satisfied with his return to the rostrum for the first time since winning the British Grand Prix and on delivering Suzuki with a podium at their home event.

“I’m very happy for this podium because it’s the result of two main points; first of all, the team managed to make good improvements since yesterday, delivering me a machine with which I felt more comfortable than yesterday. This means we have a lot of potential to express, still,” explained the Spaniard.

“Second thing, is that I managed to make a very wise race; the jump was not as good as I wanted, but then I decided to stay calm and not to waste the tyre in order to keep some performance for the end of the race. This allowed me to be consistent and keep my performance until the end and getting third. It was also a nice battle with Aleix, when finally I managed to overtake him it was too late to go and catch up for the second place, but this podium is very emotional, being here in front of all our fans and colleagues from the Suzuki factory.”