Rivals 'fully understand, fully respect' Vinales withdraw

Maverick Vinales' MotoGP rivals universally backed the Aprilia rider's decision to withdraw from the COTA round following the death of his 15-year-old cousin, Dean Berta Vinales, in a WorldSSP300 race at Jerez last weekend.

Maverick travelled to the Spanish track to take part in a minute's silence in memory of his cousin, who raced for a team run by his father, the following morning.

It is thought that Vinales then flew to the US, intending to take part in this weekend's MotoGP round in memory of his cousin, but ultimately decided it was too soon for him to compete.

Vinales' decision received the full backing of the Aprilia factory he joined only two races ago, as well as his new team-mate Aleix Espargaro.

"I will be alone this weekend. I fully understand and respect the decision of Maverick and I applaud it because it's not easy. And also the position of Aprilia, I fully respect," Espargaro said.

Reigning world champion Joan Mir said: "I completely understand Maverick doesn't feel well to come here and the decision of Aprilia is something really nice. I think the riders appreciate this kind of thing [by the team]."

"It's super hard when it's someone in your family, I'm talking about Maverick, that dies on a motorbike," said Mir's Suzuki team-mate Alex Rins. "I met Dean once, training together with Maverick.

"I fully understand the situation of Maverick to be at home and not race. It's super difficult."

The likes of world championship leader Fabio Quartararo, title rival Francesco Bagnaia and eight-time title winner Marc Marquez echoed those sentiments.