MotoGP rider Maverick Viñales has been deemed fit to compete in this weekend’s Catalan Grand Prix. The Tech3 pilot passed a medical examination by his personal medical team, paving the way for his return to the track. However, he still needs the official green light from MotoGP’s chief physician, Ángel Charte, before he can hit the circuit from Friday’s Free Practice 1.
Viñales will undergo a second medical check on Thursday morning at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya medical center. Dr. Charte will then decide if the Spaniard is ready to take part in FP1 on Friday and continue through the rest of the weekend.
The 29-year-old suffered a left shoulder injury during Q2 of the German Grand Prix last July 12, undergoing surgery the following day in Italy. “24 hours after the crash and the surgery was done. Many thanks to Dr. Giuseppe Porcellini, Dr. Antonio Padolino, Dr. Gianmario Micheloni, and Dr. Alessandro Donà for taking such good care of me, and to the entire team at the Sassuolo Hospital,” Viñales wrote on social media at the time.
Struggling with lingering pain throughout the remainder of the season, the issue intensified early this year. In Thailand and especially in Brazil, the shoulder pain prevented him from effectively riding the KTM RC16. At the Grand Prix of the Americas, after testing his strength in FP1, he decided to step off the bike and fly home to consult Dr. Porcellini, as the screw fixing the bone had loosened, affecting the nerve.
On April 1, Viñales returned to the operating room for a second procedure. Hours later, he assured fans: “Well… I’m already feeling better. The screw was removed and the surgery went well. Huge thanks to Dr. Porcellini, Dr. Padolino, and Dr. Giorgini for caring for me. Now it’s time to focus on recovery and come back at 100%. I’m back to training.”
His initial target was to return at the Spanish GP on April 26, but that was postponed, followed by a missed attempt at Le Mans. Eventually, a comeback in Barcelona looked increasingly unlikely until Tuesday, when Viñales personally informed his team that he would be in Montmeló on Thursday with the intention of racing after missing two rounds.
Viñales’ return has been a long time coming. After the second operation, he has been focusing on rehabilitation and strength training. The Tech3 squad is hopeful his presence will boost their performance, especially since his teammate has been carrying the team’s points burden in recent races.
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