Maverick Vinales' MotoGP rivals universally backed the Aprilia rider's decision to withdraw fro💯m 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 com🎀pete.

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 alo෴ne this weekend. I fully understand and respect the decision of Maverick and I applaud it because it's not easy. And also the pꦗosition 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 tꦬhe 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 b✤e at home and not race. It's super💯 difficult."

The likes of world championship leade✤r Fabio Quartararo, title rival Francesco Bagnaia and eight-time title winner Marc Marquez echoed𓄧 those sentiments.