P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Vinales "closes the circle" with first Aprilia win in Portugal MotoGP sprint
Maverick Vinales scored his first premier class victory on the Aprilia RS-GP at Portimao and ended a winless streak since the 2021 season opener in Qatar. Despite multiple podiums with Aprilia, Vinales had yet to showcase his full potential until the Portuguese race. The victory was described by Vinales as a “big relief” and a significant achievement as he starts his final contract year with Aprilia. Vinales was able to fend off Ducatis of Marquez and Martin by showcasing impressive pace on worn tires as he crossed the finish line first. Winning the sprint race won’t count towards Vinales’ overall tally, but he remains focused on securing a traditional grand prix victory to reach ten wins in MotoGP. Celebrating the sprint success as a notable achievement, Vinales is eager to continue his strong performance in the upcoming races.
