Why "worried" Maverick Vinales’ US MotoGP weekend is in jeopardy

Maverick Vinales may not be able to complete the US MotoGP weekend as he continues to struggle with the shoulder he injured last year at the German Grand Prix.

The Tech3 KTM rider suffered a complex left shoulder injury when he was flicked from his bike during qualifying at the Sachsenring last July.

The injury plagued Maverick Vinales for the rest of the year, forcing him to miss eight grands prix in total between Germany and the Portuguese round in early November.

Vinales had seemingly recovered well over a very active winter, as he upped his training regime with new rider coach Jorge Lorenzo.

After a crash in testing at Sepang in February, Vinales noted: “I tested the shoulder well. I landed like this [on the shoulder] to the ground.

“It was the best test I could do. And the shoulder is perfect. So, for me, it’s totally healed.

However, Vinales has endured a tough start to the 2026 season, scoring no points across the first two rounds as he struggles with the spec of his KTM.

His pre-existing shoulder injury may also be playing a part in his struggles, too, with Motorsport reporting earlier this week that Vinales may not see out the US Grand Prix weekend.

Vinales told the media on Thursday at COTA: “Something doesn’t work, because I can’t change direction quickly.

“I have a hard time changing direction, especially on the left. I have no strength; it hurts a lot. I thought I was fine, but with the street bikes with which I trained in the winter, I didn’t force [the shoulder] so much.

“If I don’t fix my shoulder, I can’t run at my level.”

Vinales is due to use Friday’s practice sessions at the anticlockwise COTA to test the fitness in his shoulder, before evaluating his next move.

With MotoGP going on an unexpected spring break after COTA with the postponement of the Qatar Grand Prix due to the war in the Middle East, an opportunity has presented itself to Vinales.

Speaking to DAZN, Vinales hasn’t ruled out having further surgery on his shoulder, particularly with the next race not until the end of April at Jerez now.

“I am worried about my future. I will try to see what my options are,” he said.

“I do not rule out going through the operating room again; that option is on the table.”