-Vinales fights his way from 11th to first
-Pedro Acosta is the youngest rider to score back-to-back podiums
-Marc Marquez crashes out while leading the race
The 2024 MotoGP Grand Prix of the Americas turned out to be an absolute action-packed nail-biter which was won by Aprilia Racing’s Maverick Vinales quite unexpectedly given the way he started from pole position.
Magical Maverick
As the lights went out, Vinales failed to get a good start which enabled GasGas Tech 3 Racing’s Pedro Acosta to slot into the lead, going into Turn One. Vinales’ poor start also helped Peco Bagnaia on the Factory Ducati and Prima Pramac’s Jorge Martin to make a move on the inside, going into Turn One. Ultimately, Martin pushed Pecco wide who had to avoid contact and almost ran into Vinales, who in turn had to pick up the bike and compromise his exit out of the first corner.
Vinales’s race pace in the initial laps wasn’t great either and one point he’d slipped down the field to P11. It seemed like he was out of his depths in the first half of the race, while Jorge Martin, Pedro Acosta and Marc Marquex battled for the lead.
Then, as if Maverick had flipped a switch on his Aprilia, he began to lap the Circuit of the Americas faster than the leading group. The Spaniard kept gaining positions as the race progressed, ultimately grabbing the lead from Pedro Acosta with a few laps to go.
By winning the race, Maverick Vinales became the first rider to have won a MotoGP race with three different manufacturers. He’s previously won races with Suzuki and Yamaha. Vinales and his Aprilia Factory Racing Team were quite ecstatic with the way the weekend turned out, with Vinales securing pole, winning the sprint race and the main race on Sunday.
Nail-biting battles abound
While Vinales was busy making his way up the field, Pedro Acosta, the rookie sensation proved yet again why the hype around him is for real. The young Spaniard in only his third race on a MotoGP bike was fighting tooth and nail with Jorge Martin and Marc Marquez who was on the Gresini Racing Ducati.
Martin and Acosta, in particular, swapped positions multiple times as one out braked the other at various places on the circuit. Ultimately, Martin did manage to pass Acosta and lead the race for a few laps.
During this time, Marc Marquez was putting up a strong performance and one could clearly see that he was being wise with tyre management which was crucial during the 20 Lap Race. Marquez managed to grab the lead at one point after passing Acosta and Martin and it looked like the win would be his. Unfortunately, while braking hard for Turn 11 on the next Lap, Marquez lost the front and crashed.
A close fight!
The racing action at the Circuit of the Americas was incredible to say the least and just what the fans wanted. In all, it was a proper, edge of the seat entertainer and we’ve still a long season ahead of us.
At the end of Round 3 of the 2024 MotoGP World Championship, Prima Pramac’s Jorge Martin leads with 80 points in the bag. Lenovo Ducati Factory Racing’s Enea Bastianini is second at 59 points followed by Aprilia Racing’s Maverick Vinales in third at 56 points.
The next round will be held from 26-28 April at the Circuito de Jerez- Angel Nieto in Spain.
