MotoGP: Vinales impresses, the French disappoint

Very bad start despite his pole position, Maverick Vinales, who had fitted a medium rear tire unlike most of his opponents, overtook his competitors one after the other and ended up taking the lead on the 12th lap by overtaking the Spanish prodigy Pedro Acosta (GasGas-Tech3).

Vinales then escaped to score the tenth victory of his career in the premier category, the first in more than three years. This success is historic since he becomes the first rider since the start of the MotoGP era in 2002 to win a Grand Prix with three different manufacturers since he had previously won with Suzuki and Yamaha.

“I’m in the middle of a dream. I have everything I needed today, the team did an incredible job. I had a problem with my clutch initially, but eventually it did it anyway. I’m going to cry,” said the Catalan, very moved before taking the podium with a Batman mask on his face.

Six-time MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez (Ducati-Gresini), who was aiming for an eighth success on the Texan track, fell at the start of the 10th lap when he had just taken the lead of the race.

Marquez, who joined a Ducati satellite team this year after 11 seasons at Honda and has not won in more than 900 days, lost the front while under pressure from Acosta.

The 19-year-old Spanish rookie, who won his first podium in the premier category during his second race in Portugal three weeks ago, did it again in Austin after another stunning performance.

Second on the grid, Acosta took the lead at the first corner and held it for three laps. After a superb fight with Marquez and his compatriot Jorge Martin (Ducati-Pramac), he regained the lead but was unable to do anything in the face of Vinales’ superiority.

“Beyond the result, the race was really incredible, I fought with everyone and I had a lot of fun. I learn so much from these pilots. It was a bit risky to take the medium rear tire but it was the right choice so I’m delighted,” said Acosta.

Martin, leader during part of the race, finally finished fourth but remains firmly at the head of the world championship with 21 points ahead of the Italian Enea Bastianini (Ducati), who stole third place from him at the end of the race. from the podium, and 24 on Vinales.

The double reigning Italian world champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati) disappointed again on Sunday: fighting for the lead for a while, he then fell back to finish in fifth place. After three races, he is already 30 lengths behind Martin, behind his teammate Bastianini… and the prodigy Acosta.

The French are still out of the loop. Quartararo, who has just extended his contract with Yamaha, finished 12th while Johann Zarco retired.

The next paddock stop will take place in two weeks in Andalusia, for the Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez.