Source: Supplied.

Contrary to the beginning of his 2017 campaign, it’s been a relatively lacklustre start to the 2018 MotoGP World Championship for Movistar Yamaha ace Maverick Viñales, failing to step on the podium in the first two outings of the season.

The Spaniard, who won the opening two rounds last year, has expressed his primary target at this weekend at Austin’s third grand prix of the season is to simply stand on the podium and bring his title bid back on-track in the early stages.

“We arrive in Austin in a position from which we can work on improving the bike,” said Viñales. “It’s the third race and we can’t afford mistakes. We need to fight for the victory with all our strength. I don’t have good memories of last year at COTA, because unfortunately I crashed at the beginning of the race.

“So this year I’m set on being able to stay ahead throughout the race, and above all being able to be on the podium. I really like COTA because the lay-out is amazing, so I will try to give my 100-percent and try to enjoy the GP as much as I can.”

Lodging 6-5 race results at Qatar and Argentina, the title contender currently sits fourth in the championship standings, 17 points behind series leader Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda).