Maverick Viñales reveals the moment his injury problems started and why they got worse

Photo: Gold & Goose / Red Bull Content Pool

11. 04. 2026 15:53 CET
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4 min

Maverick Viñales reveals the moment his injury problems started and why they got worse

Eliška Ryšánková

Eliška Ryšánková

News.GP journalist who’s all about the thrilling worlds of MotoGP and Formula 1.

MotoGP Maverick Viñales Tech3 KTM Summaries Motogp 2026 Season

Maverick Viñales has revealed that his difficult MotoGP season began with a shoulder injury after a crash, which later became worse due to a loose screw, leaving him struggling to ride at his full level.

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Maverick Viñales has gone through a very tough time in MotoGP recently, but there are still strong reasons to believe he can return to his best.

At the start of his journey with Red Bull KTM Tech3, there was a lot of excitement. Viñales is known as a fast and talented rider, and many people expected him to do very well. However, his season quickly became difficult because of injury and unexpected problems.

Earlier in the year, he suffered a heavy crash that badly hurt his shoulder. This kind of injury is serious for a MotoGP rider because the shoulder is used constantly when braking, turning, and controlling the bike at very high speeds. To fix the damage, doctors performed surgery and placed a small screw inside his shoulder to help it heal properly.

At first, everything seemed to be going in the right direction. But later, Viñales began to feel pain again. It turned out that the screw inside his shoulder may have become loose. This caused discomfort and made it much harder for him to ride in a normal way.

He explained that the pain suddenly became very strong, especially during race conditions. Riding a MotoGP bike already requires full strength and focus, so even a small issue can become a big problem. In his case, it was serious enough that he had to stop racing and withdraw from an important event.

Because of this situation, his performances have not shown his true level. It is important to understand that the problem is not his talent, but his physical condition. When a rider is not fully fit, it is almost impossible to compete at the highest level.

Despite these setbacks, KTM has shown great confidence in him. The team has clearly said that Viñales has simply been unlucky. They continue to support him and believe he can return stronger once he is fully healthy again.

KTM already has a young and exciting rider in Pedro Acosta, who is seen as a future star. However, the team does not want to rely on just one leader. They believe Viñales can become a second key rider, helping the team fight at the front and achieve better results.


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This shows how highly KTM still rates him. Even though his recent results have not been impressive, the team understands the reasons behind it. They are looking at the long term rather than just short-term results.

Viñales himself has remained honest about the situation. He admitted that the loose screw was likely the cause of his pain, and that it made riding extremely difficult. He did not try to hide the problem, and instead focused on explaining what went wrong and what needs to be fixed.

Recovering from this kind of issue takes time. It is not only about healing the shoulder, but also about rebuilding confidence. A rider must feel completely comfortable on the bike again, especially when pushing to the limit.

In the past, Viñales has already shown what he can do. He has won races and fought at the front against the best riders in the world. This is why both he and his team still believe in a strong comeback.

For now, the most important thing is his recovery. If his shoulder heals properly and the problem is fully solved, there is a good chance he can return to his true level. MotoGP is a very demanding sport, but talent and determination can make a big difference.

In simple terms, Viñales has had a very unlucky season, mainly because of injury and a rare complication after surgery. But with support from his team and time to recover, he still has the potential to become one of the leading riders again.

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Eliška Ryšánková

Eliška is a journalism student at Palacký University. She specializes in sports journalism, focusing on the worlds of MotoGP and Formula 1. Her goal is to make motorsport content relatable, engaging, and easy to follow.

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