Twenty-two year-old year old Maverick Vinales met with all the expectations at today’s Qatar MotoGP round, winning on his Yamaha and after dominating the winter tests he confirmed that he is the number one contender for reigning world champion Marc Marquez’ crown.

The Yamaha new entry passed the entrance exam showing no hesitation in a scrap with Ducati’s Andrea Dovizioso to take his first victory with Yamaha. Those who know Vinales well had no doubt about this success.

Described as a ‘rock’ from his new crew chief Ramon Forcada, Vinales left nothing to the chance. The clan of friends who grew up with him and now follow him in all the GPs tell are not surprised by this result: “Maverick is 100 per cent focused on the motorcycles. Training comes first. He is not distracted by going out to parties or girlfriends. He obliges himself to a strict diet. He has shaped all his life to reach his target”.

His goal is clear: “If you have a Yamaha, the target is to try and win the world title”.

We sat down with him post-race and had a natter:

You started as a favourite, did this put you extra pressure?
“After having topped the time sheet in the winter test, I was really aiming at the victory. Everybody was pointing at me as the favourite and this gave me the extra motivation, but it was not an easy race.”

What did you think when it started raining?
“I was so nervous at the start. I had nothing under control, I couldn’t make my rhythm and honestly in the first laps I was not riding as I know. I did a good start but the track was very slippery and T14 was wet, so I was very careful. The bike was sliding a lot. I almost had an incident with Zarco and so Dovizioso and Marquez passed me. I focused on warming up the tyres and when Dovizioso passed me, I started to push. It took me several laps to take my rhythm.”

Was there a moment during the race when you doubted that you couldn’t make it?
“Yes, I had many doubts, especially at the beginning. When I went wide I was a bit scared because the bike was sliding a lot and I couldn’t push in the middle of the corner. With the team we had done a strategy with the electronics where we didn’t have too much acceleration to privilege the corner speed and save the tyres. Fortunately lap by lap started to feel more comfortable. First I passed Marquez and then I tried to catch Dovizioso. I passed him, but I didn’t expect that he would repass me immediately.”

The Desmosedici was a train on the straight
“Yes, I had to take more risks to overtake him. When I passed him with four laps to go and he passed me again, I started to study other places where I could overtake him and build some gap. So when I saw the opportunity between T4 and T5 I took it. This was the key to build a small gap, especially in the sector three where I felt stronger.”

Last year you won your first MotoGP win and here your first success with Yamaha, which one is more special?
“The first is always the first, but this weekend is also special, conquering the pole position and the victory. I was also surprised by Zarco and Dovizioso.”

What does it mean for you this victory?
“I feel lighter. After having dominated the winter test and arrived here with the mentality to win, I had all the pressure to win, and finally make it, I’m really satisfied. Now I’m very motivated to go to Argentina.”

How do you feel to be the leader of the MotoGP?
“It’s fantastic, it’s like a dream come true.”