How Vinales went from 'kitty' to MotoGP 'beast' at Misano

MotoGP's double-headers have produced second acts that are anything but repeats of the first, with Maverick Vinales pulling off the latest seven-day turnaround to go from supporting cast to headline performer in the 2020 title show

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"We came from Saturday to make a lap record in qualifying, from being a beast on track, and then we were a little kitty on the track." That's how Maverick Vinales described his fall from grace in the San Marino Grand Prix, when he went from threatening domination to ending up 5.3 seconds off what is essentially the 2019 Yamaha of race winner Franco Morbidelli, in sixth place.

It was an all too familiar tale for Vinales: stamp his authority in practice, rip up trees in qualifying to take pole, and then spend the opening half of the race wobbling about as grip and bike balance evaporated on a full fuel tank.

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Author Lewis Duncan

Lewis Duncan is Autosport's International Editor and primary MotoGP reporter. A motorsport fan from a young age, Lewis became interested in journalism when he won the star letter competition in the February 2012 issue of F1 Racing Magazine. A member of the Autosport Academy from 2017, Lewis became a freelance motorcycle racing correspondent for Autosport in 2019 before becoming a full-time staffer in 2020 as International Editor.

While MotoGP coverage is his priority, Lewis also covers other motorcycle racing across the Motorsport Network, and hosts the Tank Slappers Podcast. He has also occasionally commentated on 750 Motor Club meetings. Away from motorsport, Lewis is a keen record collector with a collection unashamedly largely featuring Iron Maiden and Rush and an avid guitar player.