P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Vinales explains Portugal MotoGP race-ending gearbox issue
“The Aprilia rider entered Sunday’s 25-lap grand prix in Portugal as a top contender for the win, following his victory in the sprint on Saturday. Vinales was a key player in the battle for victory, leading the pack ahead of Jorge Martin and Enea Bastianini. Unfortunately, Vinales encountered a gear selection issue between fifth and sixth gear early on, which ultimately led to his sudden slowdown and crash on the last lap. Despite the setback, Vinales praised his speed over the weekend and urged his Aprilia team to enhance bike reliability for future races. He expressed confidence in his ability to compete for the win, even with the gearbox problem affecting his performance.”
