/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2024/04/13/3948652-80186748-2560-1440.jpg "MotoGP, GP of the Americas 2024, sprint race: super Viñales wins again ahead of Marquez and Martin, Bagnaia 8th")
Top Gun is unlocked. One swallow doesn’t make a summer, but two victories in two consecutive weekends are a clear sign of a rider who has finally turned a corner. After triumphing in the Portuguese sprint, Maverick Viñales also wins the Saturday race of the Grand Prix of the Americas on the Austin circuit in Texas, the third act of the 2024 MotoGP world championship. Perfect race for the Aprilia standard-bearer, who after having conquered pole with a track record, started well and dominated alone for all ten laps on the American snake. All-Spanish podium with Viñales first ahead of Marc Marquez and Jorge Martin.
What to say about this Maverick? Top Gun rides his Aprilia in an absurd way, setting a pace that is unattainable for all the others from the first lap. When this is the case there is very little that can be done, not even Ducati’s excessive power can beat it. We’ll see if he can also have it in the long race, but there are no reasons not to put him among the favourites. Italian bikes therefore beaten, with Marc Marquez second and Jorge Martin third. Cabroncito celebrates the best result with the new machine, but in the “home” GP the alien from Cervera pushes but doesn’t have enough to stay with the Aprilia, and so takes care to defend himself against Martin and Acosta, winning the final triello. Martinator closes the podium, not very brilliant, but still continues to pocket excellent points in the general. He now has a 24 lead over Bastianini, sixth at the finish line today. Not bad.
Acosta always there, off the podium but in the positions that count, then Aleix alone. Sixth Enea is in a bit of difficulty, things go worse for Bagnaia: Pecco starts very badly and is tenth in the first corner, then he is unable to recover and remains stuck in the group, finishing eighth also behind Miller. More was expected from him, there is a lot to work on the data this evening.
Tomorrow will be a really interesting race. This Viñales is scary, while the Ducati doesn’t seem stellar and therefore will hardly be able to outrun the competition. Appointment at 9pm.
Scoreboard
THE RANKING: Vinales, Marquez, Martin, Acosta, Espargaro, Bastianini, Miller, Bagnaia, Raul Fernandez, Morbidelli, Oliveira, Binder, Bezzecchi, Alex Marquez, Quartararo.
The news in five key moments
– Ready to go and Vinales starts well, then Marquez and Acosta. Bastianini fourth, then Martin, Aleix, Miller and Morbidelli. Only tenth Bagnaia started badly. After Nakagami crashes, Diggia smokes and breaks on the straight, forced to retire.
– The first three take a few metres, while Bastianini doesn’t have the pace. On the third lap Martin attacks and passes Enea, climbing to fourth place in pursuit of the podium.
– On the fourth lap Vinales changes gear and goes away. Super Top Gun, behind a spectacular trio between Marquez, Acosta and Martin. Fifth Bastianini, then Aleix who attacks and passes Enea. Miller was seventh, then Morbidelli, Raul Fernandez and Bagnaia again tenth. Bastianini collapses and is also passed by Miller. In front Acosta attacks Marquez, but Martin takes advantage and passes Pedrito, climbing onto the podium in pursuit of Cabroncito.
– Moment of stalemate ahead with Vinales who has a two second lead over Marquez who has a second lead over Martin. Fourth Acosta solo, then Aleix, Miller, Bastianini, Raul Fernandez, Bagnaia and Morbidelli tenth.
– Last laps where nothing happens up front and therefore the podium is already decided with Vinales ahead of Marquez and Martin. Fourth Acosta solo, then Aleix. Well done to Bastianini for recovering and getting back ahead of Miller at the end. Bagnaia ended up eighth, then Raul and Morbidelli tenth.
The declaration
Jorge MARTIN: “Today was difficult. I struggled in the middle of the race, but I managed to be on the podium. It was important to be consistent and get points.
The tweet not to be missed
The best
Maverick VINALES: Absolute perfection.
The worst
HONDA: A year ago it won with Rins, this time it closes the grid at the start with four bikes in the last four places on the grid, in the race three riders eliminate themselves, while Marini is very last at the finish line. Collapse.