Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1541716
Vinales Starts Work With Lorenzo M averick Vinales has begun working with three-time MotoGP World Champion Jorge Lorenzo in a new collaboration aimed at refining the Spaniard's approach both on and off the bike for the 2026 season. The pair were first seen together during a private training session in Barcelona, where Lo - renzo observed Vinales' riding drills and offered guidance on racecraft, mental preparation and long-run consistency—areas Vinales has openly identified as key targets for improvement. The partnership is not an official KTM team initiative but rather a personal effort by Vinales to add an external voice with championship-winning experience to his inner circle. Lorenzo, widely re - garded as one of the smoothest and most techni- cally precise riders of the modern MotoGP era, is expected to help Vinales refine his corner-entry discipline and improve pace in the early laps—his- torically a weakness for Vinales. "Bringing Jorge into this journey is a huge oppor- tunity to learn and improve in every aspect," Vinales said. "His experience and outside perspective will help us take confident steps forward. I'm starting this new stage with great motivation and excitement." Vinales has previously worked with sports psychologists and riding coaches, but bringing in a figure as decorated as Lorenzo marks his most high-profile move yet. While neither rider has com - mented publicly about how long this training will last, paddock insiders suggest the collaboration could continue into the 2026 season as Vinales looks to reset and mount a stronger title campaign in his second year on the KTM RC16. CN WIND IN THE P32 Bagnaia, Fernandez Triumph in 2025 100km of Champions F rancesco Bagnaia and Augusto Fernandez claimed victory in the 2025 100km of Champi- ons dirt track event at Valentino Rossi's Ranch on November 30. Held on the purpose-built oval- and-TT layout outside Tavullia, the race featured teams of two completing 50 laps, with a mix of VR46 Academy riders, MotoGP competitors, and invited guests taking part. Bagnaia established the team's early momen - tum with a clean opening stint, settling into a consistent rhythm that allowed the pair to control the pace from the front. The initial laps saw close pressure from the Marco Bezzecchi/Luca Marini and Fabio Di Giannantonio/Celestino Vietti pair - ings, who traded positions repeatedly while trying to stay within range of the leaders. A mid-race neutralization following a crash re - set the field and tightened the competition for the remaining laps. Once racing resumed, Fernandez maintained his position during a series of chal - lenges from Bezzecchi and Marini. Bagnaia returned to the bike for the final stint and maintained a controlled pace to the finish, navigating the deepening ruts while keeping the closest challengers at a manageable distance. The pair crossed the line to secure their first win together at the Ranch event. Bezzecchi and Marini finished second after a late-race battle, while Di Giannantonio and Vietti completed the podium. KTM star Pedro Acosta and Moto2 race winner Senna Agius took fourth place, 14 seconds behind Bagnaia and Fernandez. CN Maverick Vinales (left) is hoping to channel some of Jorge Lorenzo's (right) mindset for the 2026 MotoGP season. After a nightmare year, Pecco Bagnaia ended the season with a win with teammate Augusto Fernandez at Rossi's ranch.