League: MotoGP Sport: Motorsports Country: Global Category: Injuries

Vinales races despite injury due to contract stipulations

Autosport • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 24, 2026, 10:04 AM

Last updated Oct 24, 2026

Vinales races despite injury due to contract stipulations

Summary

Maverick Vinales is competing in the MotoGP event in Australia this weekend while dealing with a left shoulder injury. He criticized the contract terms that mandate participation in races to receive his salary from KTM, stating he would not be paid if he stayed home. Vinales has been struggling with this injury for over a year, which impacts his performance and well-being. He continues to press on while navigating the complexities of rider contracts in the sport.

Source Links

Autosport

Status Watch

•Vinales competes in Australia despite a prolonged shoulder injury.
•KTM requires Vinales to race to receive his salary.
•Contract stipulations pressure him to perform while injured.
•Vinales has faced shoulder issues for more than a year.

Latest Updates

10:04 AMAutosport — Vinales: “If I stay at home, I don’t get paid”

What they're saying

"
Maverick Vinales has criticised the nature of the contracts governing MotoGP riders, which can lead to situations such as his own this weekend in Australia, where he is racing despite being far from fully fit because KTM will not pay him the agreed salary if he does not compete. Vinales has been struggling with an injury to his left shoulder for more than a year, and has still been unable to ...Keep reading
— Autosport

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