'Practically impossible' - Vinales turns focus to podiums, 2020

Maverick Vinales admits his 2019 MotoGP title chances are all but over, but also feels he has found 'the best set-up of the season' as he turns his attention to podiums and working towards 2020.

When Vinales was brought down by Jorge Lorenzo's accident in Barcelona, it signalled the third time the Yamaha rider has been taken out in the seven races this year.

Unfortunately for the Spaniard, he's also only managed one podium in the rounds he has finished, leaving him eleventh in the world championship standings and 100 points from Marc Marquez (Honda).

Nonetheless, Vinales concluded the Catalunya weekend by being fastest at the post-race test and now heads for Assen, a circuit when he was on the podium one year ago, with renewed confidence.

“After the test in Montmeló we arrive in Assen with high motivation," Vinales said. "The test was very positive for us and confirmed the good feeling that I had at the last GP.

"I think we have achieved the best set-up of the season, as was also demonstrated in the Catalunya GP before the accident. I really want to get back on the M1 to confirm that the bike is working well and that we can be competitive.

"The championship is unfortunately already slipping away and it's practically impossible to win it, so we are going to concentrate on finishing the season by getting as many podiums as possible, with an eye on the future and the next season.”

Team-mate Valentino Rossi, also caught up in the Lorenzo accident, is fifth in the world championship.