MotoGP Round Three Report | Vinales claims historic victory

Maverick Viñales became the first rider to win on three different brands in the MotoGP era courtesy of his scintillating comeback ride at the Grand Prix of the Americas. Miller suffered tyre issues, Kelso fell and came back, Roulstone and Agius rode well. Report: Ed Stratmann/MotoGP

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Friday Practice and Saturday Qualifying
Friday at the Bull Grand Prix of the Americas was a duel at the top, and the shootout for direct entry to Q2 went to the wire as lap records fell in MotoGP Practice. Championship leader Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) set a statement 2:01.397 to destroy the lap record by 0.495 and secure top honours by the end of the day, but that was only enough to deny Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) by less than a tenth after a fast start for the Aprilia Racing rider, who also topped FP1 ahead of Martin.

With 10 minutes to go, Bagnaia was one of those outside the top 10. As the #1 has often managed before, though, with less than two minutes on the clock he pulled out a 2:01.808, ultimately ending the session in fourth. Meanwhile, Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) concluded a storming Friday with a late lunge into the top five.

Qualifying for the 2024 Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas was a true classic, with a dash of drama and magic creating an incredible grid for lights out in Austin. On pole position was Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing), who smashed the lap record set on Friday by half a second to carve out his own postcode at the front, three tenths clear in Q2. His pole lap was also a second quicker than pole in 2023.

In second was rookie sensation Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3), who took his first premier class front row as his pace in Austin continued to awe. And completing that front row was eight-time World Champion Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) after his first qualifying top three with Ducati, aiming for an eighth win at COTA. Just behind the #93 on the timesheets was reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team).

Moto2
After a rollercoaster season so far, pre-season favourite Fermin Aldeguer (Beta Tools SpeedUp) put in another statement Friday at the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas as he looked for that elusive first win, or even podium, of the year.

Setting an unbelievable 2:08.359, he destroyed the lap record by 0.392. The Spaniard ended a fantastic session ahead of MT – Helmets MSI’s Sergio Garcia, who was 0.282 behind but also under the previous lap record. Dennis Foggia put in a great day for the Italtrans Racing Team in third, also spending most of the session inside the top five.

Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) then went on to steal pole position in the closing moments of qualifying, setting a fantastic 2:07.631 to overhaul compatriot Fermin Aldeguer (Beta Tools SpeedUp). The #54 ended the session 0.109 adrift after spending most of the session at the top of the timesheets. Qatar podium finisher Sergio Garcia (MT Helmets – MSI) ended the session in third for his second front-row start in the Moto2™ class.

Albert Arenas (QJMotor Gresini Moto2) heads the second row of the grid after a fantastic final lap to place the Spaniard in fourth, losing out on a front-row start by just 0.046. Home hero Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing Team) rounded out the top five as the American put himself in a strong spot for a podium push.

Moto3
David Alonso (CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team) jumped to the top at the end of Friday, setting 14 laps in Practice 1 to hammer home his performance from Free Practice after he’d also started the day fastest. The Colombian’s 2:15.173 in the afternoon saw him edge out Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Jose Antonio Rueda, with Angel Piqueras (Leopard Racing) slotting into third after having been passed fit to ride.

Thanks to David Alonso (CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team), Colombia secured a debut Grand Prix pole position to celebrate as the #80 left it late to bag a first Saturday P1. Alonso launches ahead of key rivals Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo), who was just 0.017 adrift in P2, and Championship leader Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) completing the front row.

Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) will head the second row of the grid, with Joel Kelso (BOE Motorsports) keeping up his good qualifying record in 2024 to earn a P5.

Check out the full Practice and Qualifying results here…

Tissot Sprint
Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) made it back-to-back wins in the Tissot Sprint. The #12 started from a lap record pole, took off at full chat and never looked back at the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas, leaving the King of COTA – Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP) – to battle it out for second on Saturday.

That battle for second pitted the eight-time World Champion against rookie Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) first, and then Championship leader Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), but Marquez dug in and held on for P2. Martin was able to get ahead of the rookie by the flag too, further extending his points lead.

Martin was the rider on the move in the early stages, getting past Bastianini when the gap to Acosta was hovering around a second and starting to hunt down the leading trio. By the time he’d cut that gap in half, Viñales was already over a second clear at the front, ominous from the off.

By seven to go, Marquez had Acosta and Martin for serious company, with the machines all locked together as they snaked round the mammoth Circuit of the Americas. The rookie didn’t take long to try a move either, attacking with five to go, but the number 93 was ready and repelled him on the cutback. That was Martin’s signal to try his own move and the #89 sliced past Acosta just before the back straight, shutting the door firmly and locking his sights on Marquez.

Up ahead, Viñales’ lead was increasing and increasing until it hit the two second mark, where it stayed within a few tenths here and there as his awesome pace continued. Neither the king of COTA nor the king of the Tissot Sprint had an answer on Saturday, with the #12 crossing the line for a second Sprint win in succession to defeat both on the same day.

“Can I just say I’m dreaming! I want to keep going. The level was amazing. We deserve it,” said a delighted Vinales.

Second on the road at COTA, meanwhile, went to Marquez. The #93 had enough in hand to make sure Martin had no chance to attack, although the Championship leader extended his advantage with third place. Acosta was forced to settle for fourth, able to hold off a late charge from Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing).

Tissot Sprint Race Results

Maverick Viñales Aprilia Racing (20m 27.825s)
Marc Marquez Gresini Ducati (+2.294s)
3.Jorge Martin Pramac Ducati (+4.399s)
Pedro Acosta Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 (+6.480s)
Aleix Espargaro Aprilia Racing (+6.657s)

Check out the full Tissot Sprint results here…

Sunday
MotoGP Race
If you’re going to make history, it’s best to do it in style – and Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) got the memo. After a chaotic start that saw the #12 punted down to P11, the race was absolutely on to claw back through the field and unleash his stunning pace. And that he did. Pass after pass after pass put him back in the postcode of the podium, and from there he threaded the needle to the front and got the hammer down to make history as the first rider to win with three manufacturers in the MotoGP™ era, in what was one of the greatest races of all time.

Behind Batmav, and not by much, Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) came home second to become the youngest rider to take back-to-back premier class podiums, and the rookie was box office – as ever. Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) completed the podium, making a late move on Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing).

Turn 1 caused a shuffle and set the scene for what was to come. Acosta took the holeshot with a storming start, and Martin caused a chain reaction with a tough move up the inside that sent Sprint winner Viñales wide, and a few more. But Martin converted that smash and grab into second behind Acosta, with Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) up eight places into third. Soon, however, Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) were on the scene.

The next shuffle came as Martin attacked, and this time took over at the front. Sensing the time was now, Marquez immediately made his move on Bagnaia, and then the rookie ahead was just wide – allowing the #93 through to chase down Martin. The #89, #93, #1 and #31 were locked together, and soon enough after enough shuffles, Bastianini and Miller were right on their tail too.

Meanwhile, Viñales was coming. After dropping to P11, he’d made it past a handful of riders already, including Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™), Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) and Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™), before passing Bastianini with 14 to go.

Once Viñales was onto the back of Bagnaia, a spectacular duel ensued between the two as they danced a perfect 200mph ballet, but the reigning Champion couldn’t hold the Aprilia back. Now Viñales was in pursuit of the top three and the podium, and Acosta had likewise been making hay.

The rookie had cut Championship leader Martin’s advantage right back down, and he had Marquez for company. Once a move was plausible, the sensation struck for P1, pulling the door open to shoot past Martin and take over in the lead. Marquez was able to follow him through and take over second.

And so the rookie led the eight-time World Champion, as Viñales started to harry Martin for third. But the next move came from Marquez as he sliced through to lead.

Marquez then slid out, as the American dream of an eighth win at the track was over for the #93, leaving the rookie to sail to the lead over the line. But that wasn’t for long either, with another dance about to begin – because Viñales was past Martin and chasing Acosta.

The Aprilia was stuck to the back of the RC16 looking for a way past, which he found a lap later at Turn 11. From there he was able to pull out some tenths of breathing space for the moment, with the next action looking likely to come from Bastianini homing in on Martin. The Beast divebombed the Pramac at Turn 1 with five to go, but it was optimistic and the #89 hit back on the cutback.

From there the gaps went out, came back in, and went out agaim. And by the final lap, Viñales just had to focus on getting to the flag to make history. Crossing the line after plummeting down the order and ending even the first lap in P9, the #12 won with a third different bike, taking his 75th podium and completing the double for the first time in his career. The hat-trick of pole, win and fastest lap likewise go the way of Viñales after a spectacular Sunday.

“I made a lot of sacrifices to get here and it is all finally paying off. This shows us that you can never give up. You must have faith in your own abilities and keep growing. This is a historic achievement,” reflected Vinales.

MotoGP Race Results

Maverick Viñales Aprilia Racing (41m 9.503s)
Pedro Acosta Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 (+1.728s)
Enea Bastianini Ducati Lenovo (+2.703s)
Jorge Martin Pramac Ducati (+4.690s)
Francesco Bagnaia Ducati Lenovo (+7.392s)

Check out the full MotoGP race results here…

MotoGP Championship Points After Round Three

Jorge Martin Pramac Ducati – 80
Enea Bastianini Ducati Lenovo – 59
Maverick Viñales Aprilia Racing – 56
Pedro Acosta Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 – 54
Francesco Bagnaia Ducati Lenovo – 50

Moto2 Race
Sergio Garcia (MT Helmets – MSI) stunned at the Circuit Of The Americas to take a maiden Moto2™ win, just finding enough in the tank to hold off home hero Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing).

Garcia stole the Championship lead in the process, and in only the MT Helmets – MSI team’s third race in the Moto2™ class, is now two points ahead of Roberts in the standings. Pre-season favourite Fermin Aldeguer (Beta Tools SpeedUp) claimed a first podium of the year after a nail-biting race start and comeback in what’s becoming a calling card until the #54’s luck changes.

The Moto2™ field roared into action on the entry to the technical turn one, with Garcia claiming the holeshot, leading the field from home hero Roberts in second – sending the American crowd to their feet.

It was also gloves off for QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™ riders Manuel Gonzalez and Albert Arenas, with the teammates having a near miss and touching – handing Aldeguer sixth place which he happily accepted. Gonzalez would later receive a penalty for a start that was too good to be true – forced to serve a double LLP, thus dropping Gonzalez to a disappointing 15th.

The same fate could not be said for Aldeguer, who made his way inside the top five and latched onto the back of teammate Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools SpeedUp). The SpeedUp teammates did not give each other an inch of room before Aldeguer found a way through and did not look back, with nine laps remaining.

As the race progressed, Garcia’s rhythm looked perfect – stretching a gap of over one second to Roberts. Roberts then made a mistake, running wide at turn 12 to crush the hopes of an American win in the process.

However, the Austin crowd was treated to a fantastic Texan duel for P2 with two laps remaining between Roberts and Aldeguer, with the American able to get the upper hand. Meanwhile, at the front, Garcia made a handful of mistakes in the braking zone – losing time and the gap coming back down.

By the flag it was down to just under half a second, but Garcia held on to take a maiden Moto2™ victory and celebrated his success in the Texas sunshine, taking the lead in the standings too.

Roberts was forced to settle for second but took back-to-back podiums for the first time, and celebrated that incredible result on home turf for both him and the team. Aldeguer came across the line to finish in a rock-solid third, ahead of teammate Lopez who was just unable to match the podium pace. Marcos Ramirez added to the OnlyFans American Racing Team’s point tally at COTA – rounding out a talent-packed top five.

Aussie Senna Agius finished in 17th place on the Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP bike.

Moto2 Race Results

Sergio Garcia MT Helmets – MSI (34m 25.954s)
Joe Roberts OnlyFans American Racing Team (+0.492s)
Fermin Aldeguer Beta Tools Speed Up (+3.293s)
Alonso Lopez Beta Tools Speed Up (+6.967s)
Marcos Ramirez OnlyFans American Racing Team (+7.102s)

Check out the full Moto2 race results here…

Moto2 Championship Points After Round Three

Sergio Garcia MT Helmets – MSI – 51 points
Joe Roberts OnlyFans American Racing Team – 49 points
Alonso Lopez Beta Tools Speed Up – 38 points
Aron Canet Fantic Racing – 38 points
Ai Ogura MT Helmets – MSI- 33 points

Moto3 Race
David Alonso (CFMoto Valresa Aspar Team) proved unstoppable at the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas, taking off from pole and able to escape a dramatic contest behind to take his second Grand Prix win of the season in some style.

Up at the front to start proceedings, it was all Alonso, who grabbed the holeshot, with Matteo Bertelle (Rivacold Snipers Team) a distance back in second before he peeled off to take the first of his three Long Lap penalties, leaving the Colombian with an even bigger gap.

By 11 to go, it was just over three seconds up the road to Alonso, and the second group was six strong: Holgado, Piqueras, Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia), Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP), Kelso and Ryusei Yamanaka (MT Helmets – MSI). But Furusato then crashed out from the chase while Kelso slid off, with the latter able to remount.

Veijer and Holgado were making inroads into the gap before even more drama as the Dutchman suddenly highsided out, right as Yamanaka went for a move on Holgado. Veijer was out, but Yamanaka and Holgado were both able to avoid the incident and straightline it across the run off. Piqueras got past both though.

After that, the lead was back up to over six seconds by the start of the final lap, but the podium fight was close as Holgado led Piqueras, who was ahead of Yamanaka, teasing a photo finish. And that it was. The Japanese rider couldn’t quite make an attack but Piqueras tucked in behind Holgado on the back straight and made a move stick at the end of it, no nerves on show as he fought for his first podium. But Holgado was able to hit back, and it went down to a drag to the line.

Looking for one more shot at second, Piqueras took a different line round the final corner and the two headed for the flag side-by-side, split over the line by just 0.013 as Holgado just held on. In doing so the #96 retains the points lead, but Piqueras still takes that maiden Grand Prix podium on only his third Grand Prix start. Alonso, meanwhile, took his second win of the season to move to just two points off Holgado in the standings.

Yamanaka took fourth, his best GP result yet, ahead of a gap back to David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports), Tatsuki Suzuki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) and Kelso 7th after the Australian remounted but then got an LLP that became a time penalty for the early race incident with Holgado. Rookie Jacob Roulstone (Red Bull GAGAS Tech3) took P8 ahead of fellow debutant Joel Esteban (CFMoto Valresa Aspar Team).

Moto3 Race Results