Maverick Viñales
Encyclopedia
Maverick Viñales Ruiz is a Grand Prix motorcycle racer
from Spain
.
, Viñales began competitive racing at the age of three in minimotos before moving onto motocross and eventually to circuit racing in 2002, competing in the Catalunyan 50cc Championship, before several successful seasons in 70cc "metrakit" bikes. In 2007, he became champion of the Catalonian 125cc Championship, and repeated the feat in 2008, as well as winning the Mediterranean Trophy. He moved up to the CEV Buckler 125GP series in 2009, with the Blusens-BQR team, partnering Miguel Oliveira
in the team. Viñales finished the season as Rookie of the Year as he finished as the runner-up to Alberto Moncayo
in the championship standings, by just four points. Viñales claimed four successive podiums during the season, including a victory by almost four seconds at Jerez. In 2010, Viñales and Oliveira joined different teams from Blusens, and battled it out for the championship title, and despite winning two races – both at Albacete
– to Oliveira's four, Viñales won the title by two points after finishing each of the season's seven races on the podium. The two riders also battled for the European Championship title at Albacete, and again was decided in the favour of Viñales.
, who returned to the 125cc class after a season in Moto2, at the SuperMartxé VIP team after the Blusens-BQR team joined forces with American socialite Paris Hilton
. He impressed during pre-season testing at Valencia, and finished ninth on his Grand Prix début in Qatar
. After retiring at Jerez
due to brake failure, Viñales finished fourth at Estoril
, narrowly missing out on a podium to Johann Zarco
in a photo-finish with the margin between the pair being 0.002 seconds. Two weeks later at Le Mans
, Viñales took his first front-row grid start with third place, and after a race-long battle with championship leader Nicolás Terol
, Terol made a mistake at the penultimate corner and Viñales cut inside him and took the victory by 0.048 seconds. His victory, at the age of , made him the third-youngest rider to win a Grand Prix race behind Scott Redding
and Marco Melandri
. Three further victories during the season enabled Viñales to finish his rookie season in third place in the championship standings.
Grand Prix motorcycle racing
Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix is the premier championship of motorcycle road racing currently divided into three distinct classes: 125cc, Moto2 and MotoGP. The 125cc class uses a two-stroke engine while Moto2 and MotoGP use four-stroke engines. In 2010 the 250cc two-stroke was replaced...
from Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
.
Early career
Born in FigueresFigueres
Figueres is the capital of the comarca of Alt Empordà, in the province of Girona, Catalonia, Spain.The town is the birthplace of artist Salvador Dalí, and houses the Teatre-Museu Gala Salvador Dalí, a large museum designed by Dalí himself which attracts many visitors...
, Viñales began competitive racing at the age of three in minimotos before moving onto motocross and eventually to circuit racing in 2002, competing in the Catalunyan 50cc Championship, before several successful seasons in 70cc "metrakit" bikes. In 2007, he became champion of the Catalonian 125cc Championship, and repeated the feat in 2008, as well as winning the Mediterranean Trophy. He moved up to the CEV Buckler 125GP series in 2009, with the Blusens-BQR team, partnering Miguel Oliveira
Miguel Oliveira (motorcycle racer)
Miguel Ângelo Falcão de Oliveira is a Portuguese motorcycle racer.2004 was his first season in the Portuguese Mini GP Championship....
in the team. Viñales finished the season as Rookie of the Year as he finished as the runner-up to Alberto Moncayo
Alberto Moncayo
Alberto Moncayo Bernal is a Grand Prix motorcycle racer from Spain.-Early career:Born in Cadiz, Moncayo began competitive racing at a young age and won his first championship at the age of eleven, winning the Valencian minimoto championship before winning the championship of Andalucia the...
in the championship standings, by just four points. Viñales claimed four successive podiums during the season, including a victory by almost four seconds at Jerez. In 2010, Viñales and Oliveira joined different teams from Blusens, and battled it out for the championship title, and despite winning two races – both at Albacete
Circuito de Albacete
Circuito de Albacete is a motorsports facility located in Albacete, Spain, it opened in 1990. The main circuit is long with 13 turns, 8 of them right turns and 5 left turns. The facility can also be configured in two other layouts. A long circuit with 8 turns, 5 right and 3 left...
– to Oliveira's four, Viñales won the title by two points after finishing each of the season's seven races on the podium. The two riders also battled for the European Championship title at Albacete, and again was decided in the favour of Viñales.
125cc World Championship
Viñales moved into the 125cc World Championship ahead of the season, partnering category veteran Sergio GadeaSergio Gadea
Sergio Gadea Panisello is a Spanish Grand Prix motorcycle road racer. He currently races in the 125cc class of the Motorcycle World championship...
, who returned to the 125cc class after a season in Moto2, at the SuperMartxé VIP team after the Blusens-BQR team joined forces with American socialite Paris Hilton
Paris Hilton
Paris Whitney Hilton is an American businesswoman, heiress, and socialite. She is a great-granddaughter of Conrad Hilton . Hilton is known for her controversial participation in a sex tape in 2003, and appearance on the television series The Simple Life alongside fellow socialite and childhood...
. He impressed during pre-season testing at Valencia, and finished ninth on his Grand Prix début in Qatar
2011 Qatar motorcycle Grand Prix
The 2011 Qatar motorcycle Grand Prix was the opening round of the 2011 MotoGP championship. It took place on the weekend of March 17–20, 2011 at the Losail International Circuit located in Doha, Qatar....
. After retiring at Jerez
2011 Spanish motorcycle Grand Prix
The 2011 Spanish motorcycle Grand Prix was the second round of the 2011 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season. It took place on the weekend of April 1–3, 2011 at the Circuito de Jerez located in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain.-MotoGP classification:...
due to brake failure, Viñales finished fourth at Estoril
2011 Portuguese motorcycle Grand Prix
The 2011 Portuguese motorcycle Grand Prix was the third round of the 2011 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season. It took place on the weekend of April 29–May 1, 2011 at the Autódromo do Estoril located in Estoril, Portugal.-MotoGP classification:...
, narrowly missing out on a podium to Johann Zarco
Johann Zarco
Johann Zarco is a Grand Prix motorcycle racer from France.-Early career:Born in Cannes, Zarco progressed up the motorcycling ladder and moved into minimoto championships in 2004, mainly based in Italy. In 2005, Zarco finished as runner-up in the Senior Mini European Championship and in 2006, he...
in a photo-finish with the margin between the pair being 0.002 seconds. Two weeks later at Le Mans
2011 French motorcycle Grand Prix
The 2011 French motorcycle Grand Prix was the fourth round of the 2011 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season. It took place on the weekend of May 13–15, 2011 at the Bugatti Circuit in Le Mans, France.-MotoGP classification:-Moto2 classification:...
, Viñales took his first front-row grid start with third place, and after a race-long battle with championship leader Nicolás Terol
Nicolás Terol
Nicolás 'Nico' Terol Peidro is a professional motorcycle road racer. He currently races in the 125cc World championship, and was the final champion in the class, in . He began his professional racing career in 2005...
, Terol made a mistake at the penultimate corner and Viñales cut inside him and took the victory by 0.048 seconds. His victory, at the age of , made him the third-youngest rider to win a Grand Prix race behind Scott Redding
Scott Redding
Scott Christopher Redding , is an English Grand Prix motorcycle racer who currently rides in the 600cc Moto2 class for team Marc VDS Racing Team. He holds the distinction of being the youngest rider in the history of Grand Prix motorcycle racing to ever win a race, breaking Marco Melandri's 10-year...
and Marco Melandri
Marco Melandri
Marco Melandri is a motorcycle road racer currently racing for the Yamaha World Superbike Team. Melandri is also a former 250cc World Champion in 2002...
. Three further victories during the season enabled Viñales to finish his rookie season in third place in the championship standings.
By season
| Season | Class | Motorcycle | Race | Win | Podium | Pole | FLap | Pts | Plcd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 125cc | Aprilia Aprilia Aprilia is an Italian motorcycle company, one of the seven marques owned by Piaggio, the world's fourth largest motorcycle manufacturer.Aprilia started as a scooter manufacturer, but has more recently come to be known for its race-winning sportbikes... |
17 | 4 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 248 | 3rd | |
| Total | 17 | 4 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 248 |
By class
| Class | Seasons | 1st GP | 1st Pod | 1st Win | Race | Win | Podiums | Pole Pole position The term "pole position", as used in motorsports, comes from the horse racing term where the number one starter starts on the inside next to the inside pole. The term made its way, along with several other customs, to auto racing. In circuit motorsports, a driver has pole position when he or she... |
FLap | Pts | WChmp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 125 cc | 2011 | 2011 Qatar 2011 Qatar motorcycle Grand Prix The 2011 Qatar motorcycle Grand Prix was the opening round of the 2011 MotoGP championship. It took place on the weekend of March 17–20, 2011 at the Losail International Circuit located in Doha, Qatar.... |
2011 France 2011 French motorcycle Grand Prix The 2011 French motorcycle Grand Prix was the fourth round of the 2011 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season. It took place on the weekend of May 13–15, 2011 at the Bugatti Circuit in Le Mans, France.-MotoGP classification:-Moto2 classification:... |
2011 France 2011 French motorcycle Grand Prix The 2011 French motorcycle Grand Prix was the fourth round of the 2011 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season. It took place on the weekend of May 13–15, 2011 at the Bugatti Circuit in Le Mans, France.-MotoGP classification:-Moto2 classification:... |
17 | 4 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 248 | 0 |
Races by year
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position, races in italics indicate fastest lap)| Yr | Class | Bike | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | Final Pos | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 125cc | Aprilia Aprilia Aprilia is an Italian motorcycle company, one of the seven marques owned by Piaggio, the world's fourth largest motorcycle manufacturer.Aprilia started as a scooter manufacturer, but has more recently come to be known for its race-winning sportbikes... |
QAT 2011 Qatar motorcycle Grand Prix The 2011 Qatar motorcycle Grand Prix was the opening round of the 2011 MotoGP championship. It took place on the weekend of March 17–20, 2011 at the Losail International Circuit located in Doha, Qatar.... 9 |
SPA 2011 Spanish motorcycle Grand Prix The 2011 Spanish motorcycle Grand Prix was the second round of the 2011 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season. It took place on the weekend of April 1–3, 2011 at the Circuito de Jerez located in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain.-MotoGP classification:... Ret |
POR 2011 Portuguese motorcycle Grand Prix The 2011 Portuguese motorcycle Grand Prix was the third round of the 2011 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season. It took place on the weekend of April 29–May 1, 2011 at the Autódromo do Estoril located in Estoril, Portugal.-MotoGP classification:... 4 |
FRA 2011 French motorcycle Grand Prix The 2011 French motorcycle Grand Prix was the fourth round of the 2011 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season. It took place on the weekend of May 13–15, 2011 at the Bugatti Circuit in Le Mans, France.-MotoGP classification:-Moto2 classification:... 1 |
CAT 2011 Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix The 2011 Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix was the fifth round of the 2011 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season. It took place on the weekend of June 3–5, 2011 at the Circuit de Catalunya... 2 |
GBR 2011 British motorcycle Grand Prix The 2011 British motorcycle Grand Prix was the sixth round of the 2011 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season. It took place on the weekend of 10–12 June 2011 at Silverstone.-MotoGP classification:-Moto2 classification:-125cc classification:... Ret |
NED 2011 Dutch TT The 2011 Dutch TT was the seventh round of the 2011 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season. It took place on the weekend of June 23–25, 2011 at the TT Circuit Assen.-MotoGP classification:-Moto2 classification:-125cc classification:... 1 |
ITA 2011 Italian motorcycle Grand Prix The 2011 Italian motorcycle Grand Prix was the eighth round of the 2011 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season. It took place on the weekend of July 1–3, 2011 at the Mugello Circuit.-MotoGP classification:-Moto2 classification:... 3 |
GER 2011 German motorcycle Grand Prix The 2011 German motorcycle Grand Prix was the ninth round of the 2011 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season. It took place on the weekend of July 15–17, 2011 at the Sachsenring, located in Hohenstein-Ernstthal, Germany. The 125cc race was notable for producing a dead heat for first place... 3 |
CZE 2011 Czech Republic motorcycle Grand Prix The 2011 Czech Republic motorcycle Grand Prix was the eleventh round of the 2011 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season. It took place on the weekend of August 12–14, 2011 at the Masaryk Circuit located in Brno.-MotoGP classification:... 6 |
IND 2011 Indianapolis motorcycle Grand Prix The 2011 Indianapolis Grand Prix was the twelfth round of the 2011 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season. It took place on the weekend of August 26–28, 2011 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.The race was won by Casey Stoner.-MotoGP classification:... 2 |
RSM 2011 San Marino and Rimini's Coast motorcycle Grand Prix The 2011 San Marino and Rimini's Coast motorcycle Grand Prix was the thirteenth round of the 2011 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season. It took place on the weekend of September 2–4, 2011 at the Misano World Circuit.-MotoGP classification:... 7 |
ARA 2011 Aragon motorcycle Grand Prix The 2011 Aragon motorcycle Grand Prix was the fourteenth round of the 2011 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season. It took place on the weekend of September 16–18, 2011 at the Motorland Aragón circuit.-MotoGP classification:-Moto2 classification:... 3 |
JPN 2011 Japanese motorcycle Grand Prix The 2011 Japanese motorcycle Grand Prix was the fifteenth round of the 2011 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season. It took place on the weekend of September 29–October 2, 2011 at the Twin Ring Motegi, located in Motegi, Japan... 4 |
AUS 2011 Australian motorcycle Grand Prix The 2011 Australian motorcycle Grand Prix was the sixteenth round of the 2011 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season. It took place on the weekend of 14–16 October 2011 at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit.-MotoGP classification:... 8 |
MAL 2011 Malaysian motorcycle Grand Prix The 2011 Malaysian motorcycle Grand Prix was the seventeenth round of the 2011 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season. It took place on the weekend of October 21–23, 2011 at the Sepang International Circuit, but the Moto GP race was red flagged and subsequently cancelled after two laps due to a... 1 |
VAL 2011 Valencian Community motorcycle Grand Prix The 2011 Valencian Community motorcycle Grand Prix was the last round of the 2011 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season. It took place on the weekend of November 4–6, 2011 at the Circuito Ricardo Tormo. It was the first race since the death of Marco Simoncelli in Sepang... 1 |
3rd | 248 |