Motorsport: Vinales a title contender

Maverick Vinales rides during 2017 MotoGP pre-season testing at Phillip Island. Photo / Getty Images

New Yamaha signing Maverick Vinales has announced himself as a title contender in MotoGP this season after an incredible pre-season testing.

The Spaniard signed on with Yamaha over the off-season and set the fastest times at each of the four official tests.

Vinales firmed as a genuine threat to win the opening round of the season at Losail later this month.

"Our goal is trying to win because after the test we are seeing that we have an incredible pace and we want to try to continue on that level," he told Autosport.

"We must work for the win, but we don't think must-win - it's just the first race, we have to get experience.

"I didn't put that pressure not even on me and not even on the team.

"We've been working really good - I know with one lap I can be really fast, and I was feeling really strong at the end [of a race simulation].

"I could go a little bit faster even - maybe it was too risky, but we ended the test in a good way."