Alex Rins wins dramatic Americas GP after Francesco Bagnaia crashes out from the lead in Texas
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Updated 16/04/2023 at 20:54 GMT
Francesco Bagnaia crashed out on Lap 8 of the Americas Grand Prix in Texas, allowing Alex Rins to pick up the win. Rins put Bagnaia under pressure from the off and the defending MotoGP champion suddenly went down at Turn 2 of Lap 8. Luca Marini collected a maiden MotoGP podium with second spot and Yamaha's Fabio Quartararo took third place in a dramatic Grand Prix.
Alex Rins (42) of Spain and LCR Honda Castrol waives at the crowd after Qualifying Session 2 of the MotoGP Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas on April 15, 2023, at Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas
Image credit: Getty Images
Alex Rins won a dramatic Americas Grand Prix after race favourite Francesco Bagnaia crashed out from the lead.
Rins put Bagnaia under huge pressure during the opening laps, as he thought about the overtake on the defending champion several times.
On Lap 8, Bagnaia suddenly went down at Turn 2, reminiscent of his accidents from last year at Le Mans and the Sachsenring when he also crashed out from first place.
Luca Marini took his maiden MotoGP podium with second place, ahead of Fabio Quartararo in the Yamaha.
“I was trying to push a lot with Pecco," said Rins, who's win was his first for Honda. “I was sliding a little bit in Sector 2 and 3, but in the chicanes I was pushing so much to catch him.
“I’m just so happy because we got the victory with Moto2, Moto3 – Suzuki and Honda. This is impressive. The team – I’m so proud of.”
Chaos on the opening lap saw Jorge Martin and Alex Marquez collide, with Aleix Espargaro going down on Lap 12.
Jack Miller was running strongly in third place, behind Bagnaia and Rins, but crashed at Turn 7 on Lap 7 and was visibly frustrated.
Having taken pole position and the sprint win on Saturday, it was thought Bagnaia would be unstoppable once he got out in front.
However, Rins rode aggressively early on and had a few half-efforts to make an overtake and ramped up the pressure.
This likely contributed to Bagnaia’s fall on Lap 8, which handed the lead to Rins, who kept his cool and always had a lead of more than 1.5 seconds for the remainder of the race.
Marini patiently stayed behind Quartararo for the opening two-thirds of the race, before taking second place on Lap 14.
“I was careful at the beginning because I didn’t want to make a mistake,” said Marini. “Jack overtook me very aggressively and Fabio started very well. Then I knew I had a good pace and never thought the victory was lost.
“After the crash of Pecco, I knew Alex would manage a little bit more so I tried to overtake Fabio and catch Alex. But on this track, he rides very well – every year he’s so strong and this year with Honda, it’s maybe the best bike.
“It was difficult to beat but I’m really satisfied with my result and pace. My race was massive, very impressive. It’s a great result for my guys and crew, I’m very happy with the work we’ve done this year.”
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Luca Marini (10) of Italy and Mooney VR46 Racing Team waives at the crowd after Qualifying Session 2 of the MotoGP Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas on April 15, 2023, at Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas.
Image credit: Getty Images
Maverick Vinales had a terrible start from eighth place, but had great pace and recovered to fourth, ahead of Miguel Oliveira.
Marco Bezzecchi’s sixth place, plus Bagnaia’s crash, means he has increased his lead from one point to 11, despite not having the outright pace he showed in Argentina.
Rins’ win moves him up to third in the championship standings, 17 points behind Bezzecchi, with Vinales and Johann Zarco rounding out the top five.
MotoGP heads to Jerez next on April 28-30 and you can watch all the action live on BT Sport.
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