AGIUS SAYS VIÑALES INSPIRED HIS EARLY RACING YEARS

Senna Agius says Maverick Viñales was one of the riders who inspired him as a child, making the Australian’s appointment as Viñales’ replacement at Tech3 a personal full-circle moment. Agius is set to make his MotoGP debut with the team in 2027, after Viñales leaves the premier class at the end of 2026.

In an interview with French outlet AutoHebdo, Agius was asked about the influence of fellow Australian Casey Stoner. He called the two-time world champion “one of my first role models”, and also recalled watching Viñales in the 125cc class. “I also really liked Maverick Vinales when he was racing in the 125cc class, because my dad was a big fan,” he said.

Agius explained that, as a young fan, he was drawn to the riders and their bikes before he fully understood who they were. “When you’re a child, you mainly look at the colours and the bikes without always knowing who the riders are,” he said. “But Casey on his Ducati and Maverick in the 125cc class are the two names that made the biggest impact on me.”

Viñales arrived in MotoGP in 2015 with a formidable record from the lower categories and high expectations for what he might achieve. He was even dubbed the “new Valentino Rossi” by the Italian press after winning the Moto3 world title. His strongest championship campaigns came in 2017 and 2019, when he finished third in the standings, while Marc Márquez claimed the title in both seasons.

Viñales leaves with 10 premier-class Grand Prix victories and 35 podiums. Although he did not fulfil the early predictions that he would become a MotoGP champion, his career made a lasting impression on Agius. Whether the 31-year-old will return to the grid after his full-time departure remains uncertain.