MotoGP title contender Maverick Vinales expects the new season to start very much like 2019 ended but with more riders fighting for the podium.

The Monster Yamaha rider, who doesn’t yet know when he will get to fire up his M1 in 2020, thinks that both the Suzuki riders and also Pramac Ducati’s Jack Miller will be regularly in the mix.

“For me it is going to be like the second part of the season with Marc in the front fighting with Fabio,” said Vinales.

“And also Dovizioso as good tracks will come for him like Brno and Austria at the beginning.

“It will be more riders, because the Suzukis are working well and Miller is going very fast, especially on race pace, but we will see. It doesn’t matter who the names are because we have to be at the front fighting.”

With the loss of Valentino Rossi from the works team in 2021, Vinales is keen for Yamaha to give test rider Jorge Lorenzo wildcard races as he believes the former champion can help in many areas.

“For me it is important if Jorge can try things during a GP weekend because after Moto2 it is very difficult on the track, as the grip is less, so it is important if he can try the new items during that moment.

“But I am not in Yamaha’s mind or even in Jorge’s mind so I don’t know. Anyway, he can give good comments on the other bikes.”