2024 MotoGP Americas: Vinales sets new pole position record

Maverick Vinales of Aprilia breaks the track record at the Americas Grand Prix by becoming the first MotoGP rider to set a 2-minute lap time. This is the Spaniard’s first pole position since last year’s season finale in Valencia. Pedro Acosta of GasGas Tech3 will start second, while Marc Marquez, a six-time MotoGP champion, will complete the front row. Ironically, Marquez is the only Ducati to start on the first row. 

2024 MotoGP Americas: Top Gun Lights Up COTA

Vinales secured pole position by setting the quickest lap at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA). Vinales’s lap record of 2m00.864 continues his spectacular form from the Portugal Grand Prix. The Spaniard dominated Q2 and now has a chance to win the Sprint for the second time in a row. The Aprilia rider was on course for a podium finish at the previous grand prix, but he was forced to withdraw on the final lap due to a gearbox problem. Without a doubt, he will want to win both the Sprint and the race. 

2024 MotoGP Americas: Martin crashes twice

On his first flying lap, the Pramac Racing rider set the mark for Q2. The Martinator was poised to set a speedy lap, but he lost control and tumbled at Turn 11. He swiftly got back in the saddle and began his next qualifying lap. This time, Martin set the fastest time in the first sector, although it was clear that he was pushing the limits to secure the pole at COTA. Unfortunately, it wasn’t his day; his bike lost its rear grip and crashed at Turn 18. Martin will start from the sixth slot.. 

2024 MotoGP Americas: Top Ten Starting Grid

Vinales leads the horsepower rodeo, trailed by the surprise package Pedro Acosta. Gresini’s Marquez will be licking his lips at the prospect of winning on American territory for the eighth time. Starting after him is defending champion Francesco Bagnaia of the factory Ducati, followed by his teammate Enea Bastianini.

Aleix Espargaro of Aprilia had to settle for seventh position after crashing in the later portion of Q2. Fabio Di Giannantonio of VR46, Pramac’s Franco Morbidelli, and VR46’s Marco Bezzecchi complete out the top ten, starting eighth, ninth, and tenth respectively.