KTM Tech3 Drama: Viñales Qatar MotoGP Podium Cancelled After Celebration

KTM Tech3 team manager Herve Poncharal expressed his disappointment after Maverick Viñales second-place podium at Qatar MotoGP was cancelled more than 90 minutes after celebrations at Lusail Circuit.

During the night race in Qatar, Vinales — in his debut season with KTM Tech3 — showed impressive performance by engaging in intense battles against Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez for the leading position.

The rider known as Top Gun managed to finish second — which should have been his first podium with his new team. Joyous atmosphere filled the parc ferme area as Viñales RC16 motorcycle was parked there.

The entire KTM Tech3 crew cheered during the podium ceremony—noting how long it had been since the RC16 achieved such a result. However, the happiness vanished when the podium cancellation decision was announced after more than 90 minutes of celebration.