The key changes behind the latest 'return of the Mack'
Maverick Vinales’s authoritative victory at the MotoGP season opener came during a period of personal and professional change for the Yamaha rider. Can it be the springboard for a title challenge?
Under the lights of the Losail Circuit in Qatar, a series of factors came into focus and produced the most efficient version of Maverick Vinales.
Over the past two years, the determination that saw the Spaniard win races with Suzuki in 2016 and make an explosive start to his career with Yamaha in 2017 had started to run dry and been replaced by doubt. With Fabio Quartararo replacing Valentino Rossi at the factory team for 2021, many were billing this season as a crucial one for Vinales to ensure he wasn't blown away by the rider who won three races last year.
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