As 88,625 spectators watched on in sizzling ambient temperatures of 28 degrees, Viñales got a decent launch off the line from 19th and maintained his position around the first lap. 

Keen to manage front tyre pressure and temperature in the pack, ‘Top Gun’ was quickly involved in an exciting six-rider fight for 15th place with Alex Rins, Jack Miller, Fabio Quartararo, Franco Morbidelli and Toprak Razgatlioglu - all covered by a matter of seconds. 

As this was just Viñales’ second full-distance race since corrective surgery on his left shoulder in March, this was always going to be a battle of endurance. The Spaniard managed to maintain a strong pace across the 23 laps as the muscles around his shoulder continue to gain strength. Come the chequered flag, the 31-year-old had gained two places for 17th and was just half a second back of a point-scoring position – further signs of the physical progress made over recent weeks. 

Much like Saturday’s Sprint, Bastianini enjoyed a fantastic jump from eleventh on the grid as he gained three spots to sit eighth at the close of the first lap. The number 23 rider attempted to hold on to the bike ahead but began to struggle with the front of his KTM RC16 in the blistering afternoon temperatures.

Despite experiencing some instability before braking at the end of the front straight, Bastianini continued to push to maintain position, but his home race came to an unfortunate end on the twelfth lap when he crashed at Turn 10.

Both riders have just a few days to catch their breath as next up for Red Bull KTM Tech3 is the Grand Prix of Hungary at the Balaton Park Circuit next weekend (5-7 June).

Maverick Viñales: “Today the objective was to finish the race. After lap four I needed to slow down a little bit - otherwise, I wouldn’t have made it to the end. I couldn’t brake the way I normally do to really put the bike in the correct position in the middle of the corner. So, I had a lot of understeer because I couldn’t force the front. Apart from that, it was good, and the bike was working well. 

“There were a few riders in front of me and, if I had more strength, I’m sure I could have taken some of those places at the end. It was a weekend when I finished all the sessions and the two races which is good training for me. Now we’ll move on to Balaton and try to get closer to the front.”

Enea Bastianini: “I was very ambitious in this race because my pace was good on Friday. I felt more confident with the medium rear tyre than the soft we used in the Sprint. The limit was the front tyre and after three laps we started to have a lot of movement. Also, on the straight I had some movement just before getting on the brakes. This was physically quite tough.

“The crash was in the same corner as yesterday, but it was a different crash. Yesterday it was on braking but today I fell when I released the brakes and was trying to get on the throttle. It’s a shame but I know Balaton Park will be a better track for us. Let’s try and find something so I feel better over the longer distance.”

Nicolas Goyon, Team Manager: “It was a challenging weekend for the Red Bull KTM Tech3 team, as this circuit puts a lot of demand on the front end - an area where we’re still working to improve. Both riders struggled to find the right setup and consistent pace.

"Enea made a strong start from P11 and was fighting inside the top ten before another crash, which shows the potential is there. Maverick faced similar issues and, on such a physically demanding track, it was difficult for him to compensate. Now the focus shifts quickly to Hungary, where we expect the package to suit the track better and aim to come back stronger.”