Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia takes the first MotoGP win this season at the Grand Prix of The Americas, while Marquez crashes out. Ducati also managed to take the top three podium spots at COTA, while Alex Marquez now leads the overall championship, with just one point separating both the Marquez brothers. Here are all the details from the weekend race.
Grand Prix of The Americas: Drama unfolds early
After winning the sprint race, Marquez took an early lead in the race, despite rains ahead of the Grand Prix. Conditions were so tricky that Fabio Quartararo crashed on the sighting lap itself. The Frenchman was quickly back at the starting grid, however, the drama did not end there as many riders dashed off to the pits to get the spare motorcycle outfitted with slicks. Eventually, the race was off with a slight delay.
Marquez was early to take the lead, followed by Alex, fending off Bagnaia. The Ducati rider built a 1.1s lead at the end of Lap 1 and by lap four, Marquez was 1.4s ahead of Alex Marquez, who had Bagnaia and Di Giannantonio hot on his tail.
Grand Prix of The Americas: Crashes
The battle for sixth was also intense, however, Pedro Acosta crashed out at T6. The same was true for Marquez, as the front of his bike washed out when he hit a wet patch. The former World Champion had no other option but to watch the two Aprilia riders – Vinales and Savadori – pass him. With a broken right foot peg and other damages to his Ducati, Marquez had to call it a day.
| Position | Rider | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | F. Bagnaia | Ducati Lenovo |
| 2 | A. Marquez | BK8 Gresini Racing |
| 3 | F. Di Giannantonio | Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team |
| 4 | F. Morbidelli | Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team |
| 5 | J. Miller | Prima Pramac Yamaha |
| 6 | M. Bezzecchi | Aprilia Racing |
| 7 | E. Bastianini | Red Bull KTM Tech3 |
| 8 | L. Marini | Honda HRC Castrol |
| 9 | A. Ogura | Trackhouse |
| 10 | F. Quartararo | Monster Energy Yamaha |