Monster Yamaha's Maverick Vinales has revealed that ditching the 2019 upgrades and focusing on improving the base MotoGP YZR-M1 is the reason he is finally able to challenge Marc Marquez for wins - albeit slightly too late.

The Spaniard tested various parts over the season - including a carbon swingarm and new exhaust - but decided that it was best to motor on with the stock bike and work out exactly what it needed to win races.

“The steps we did was just keeping the same bike, trying to understand the way to ride it, to push it at the maximum, working with the electronics, and that was the case,” said Vinales, speaking at Sepang.

Trying to be more one with the bike and that was the most important, keeping the flow through the corners and taking out the maximum good points from the Yamaha."

Vinales believes that as a works rider, new parts have to be tested, but it detracted from his efforts to completely understand what was required of the 2019 M1.

“I tried all the year, but those times we stopped to try things. When you ride a factory bike you have to try many things.

“During the season it’s always very complicated to keep one bike the same and improve on yourself. So, one half of the season I keep the same bike, trying to improve myself.

“Even if there was new items, I kept the same bike, trying to understand myself and understand the bike better.”