Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP’s Maverick Vinales before qualifying. MotoGP – French Grand Prix – Bugatti Circuit, Le Mans, France – May 15, 2021 REUTERS / Stephane Mahe
September 29 (Reuters) – Aprilia MotoGP rider Maverick Vinales will miss the Grand Prix of the Americas this weekend in Austin, Texas after his 15-year-old cousin died in a racing accident in Spain last Saturday.
Dean Berta Vinales, who drove for the Vinales Racing Team, died after a fall and was hit by other riders during a Supersport 300 support race of the Superbike World Championship in Jerez.
“It has been less than a week since the accident … which is not enough time to regain the necessary composure for the race,” said Aprilia Racing Team Gresini in a statement on Wednesday.
“Therefore, with the full and unconditional support of Aprilia Racing, Vinales decided to take a break on their way to get to know the bike and the team.
“There will be other times and other rounds to continue the promising journey that we started together. A journey that must fully respect the people involved and their feelings,” she added.
Vinales left Yamaha in August and signed with Aprilia for 2022, bringing his debut this month forward after testing with the team.
Reporting by Alan Baldwin in London, editing by Toby Davis
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