Maverick Viñales has expressed his surprise at the unexpectedly strong bond he has formed with MotoGP performance coach Jorge Lorenzo, despite their rocky history as fierce rivals. Following the 2025 season, Viñales, now riding for Tech3 KTM, revealed that Lorenzo, a three-time MotoGP champion, has served as his rider coach, a partnership that caught many off guard given their past clashes.
Their rivalry in the 2010s included public disputes and harsh exchanges, such as when Viñales accused Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi of scheming against him at Mugello and later criticized Lorenzo for rookie errors after a collision at the 2019 Catalunya Grand Prix. Despite these past tensions, Viñales described their current relationship as “great” and said he finds working with Lorenzo enjoyable, praising Lorenzo’s renewed passion for riding and understanding of his dedication.
Lorenzo has shared extensive footage showcasing the intense and varied training routines he runs with Viñales during the offseason, incorporating both on- and off-bike sessions. Their collaboration began in earnest after Viñales suffered a shoulder injury during qualifying at the German Grand Prix and felt the timing was right to team up following earlier talks that didn’t materialize due to Viñales’ commitments with Aprilia.
Viñales clarified that Aprilia supported the idea of Lorenzo’s involvement and did not obstruct the arrangement. He pointed out that family responsibilities, especially caring for a young child, were the primary factors in the timing of the partnership, which has become easier to commit to as his children have grown older.
Working with Lorenzo has helped Viñales recognize that he hadn’t been performing at his highest level previously, with Lorenzo pushing him to ride even when conditions were less than ideal. This demanding approach has unlocked new potential for Viñales, providing the intensity and motivation he needs beyond just racing.
A key part of Lorenzo’s coaching involves training Viñales on a 600cc bike over technical circuits, focusing on improving precision at slow speeds—a challenging but vital skill for mastering control and tire management in MotoGP. According to Viñales, this method builds versatile riding abilities that enhance overall performance on the main racing bike.
Fan Take:
This surprising partnership between two former rivals highlights the evolving nature of MotoGP, where respect and collaboration can transcend past conflicts to push the sport forward. For racing fans, Lorenzo coaching Viñales could spark a resurgence in competitiveness and inspire other riders to embrace holistic training methods, potentially raising the level of MotoGP racing even higher.
