A rejuvenated Maverick Viñales cut an enthusiastic and optimistic picture at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli this evening after two days testing the Aprilia RS-GP.

Having quit the M1 under a cloud of speculation and distrust last month, after a difficult partnership with Yamaha, Vinales is already showing his usual ‘testing season’ confidence, but the feeling it seems is more than that. When the Spaniard was asked if this was the happiest he’s been on a MotoGP machine this season? He relied “probably my life!” before elaborating further.

“Because, after five years, there have been ups and downs and you don’t understand many things, at the end you say ‘What is going on?’ but as soon as I jumped to Aprilia I know my potential.

“I know what I’m able to do even more and it was nice. It was nice to jump quick, because I have the opportunity to do six races, that this is much better than to do just five days of test. I will try to prepare well, and also with Aleix, 2022 which is very important.

Excited for the new adventure, the 26-year-old wasn’t expecting to get the call up quite so quickly but went with an open mind ahead of his first test on the V4 powered machine.

“Honestly I went without expectation, because you never know how the bike is going to react, but I have to say that I was a bit nervous because I never try a different engine.

“I was used to ride with bikes that are 4-inline and I didn’t know how it will react but I was quite surprised that how I adapt to the engine was quite easy, and this is nice. Basically the bike has really handling engine, this is very important also for a long race.”

The test and official announcement that he will race the remainder of the season came rapidly after his acrimonious split from the Monster Energy team, catching even Viñales himself off guard.

“I didn’t expect, honestly I expect to be at home waiting for November to ride the bike, to test. This opportunity it’s made, first of all, because I leave and then because Aprilia give me the opportunity. Basically what makes me really happy is that all the guys are working really hard. The enthusiasm is really, really strong, and also coming from a podium is the best time to join the team, to try to give them the feedback.

“For sure, Aleix and Savadori make an amazing job, because they ride very fast, and the bike is working well. I was quite surprised, because the adaptation to the bike has been quite fast.

“I think the way to prepare the next year, it is the best way. Even if maybe I’m not ready because it’s difficult, on the riding style still to be one with the bike - because I was used to ride a completely different bike. But I think in Aragon I will understand a little bit more, also riding with Aleix, that he is fast so I can learn quickly how the bike works, but I feel strong. I feel very strong, and this is a positive point.”

Reflecting on the learning curve ahead, there is one point he was quick to identify will need work.

“What I need to change is the way of braking, it’s a bit different. This is a big learning process, because the way that you can break the Aprilia is totally different. So I will need laps. I will need laps and also Aleix is very hard-braking and I will need to learn a little bit from him, all he does, that strong brake. But I think this will come by confidence, this is the important point.

“I wanted to race as soon as I did three laps with the bike,” Vinales admitted. “After everything happened, the only thing I have in mind was to ride, keep riding. I will not give up until I get my objectives accomplished, so I keep going. I keep going very strong. We will push at my maximum already from the first lap in Aragon. I know my place here in Aprilia for what it is, so I need to push so much, I need to improve myself, and I need to keep going.”