Marques Wins Americas MotoGP; Become Youngest MotoGP Winner

20-year-old Marquez took over from former double title winner Freddie Spencer as the youngest ever pole-sitter in the premier class. With this victory Marquez becomes the youngest race winner, having seen off a challenge from Pedrosa on the other Repsol Honda Team machine. Although he is now level on points with Lorenzo in the championship, Marquez holds the lead as he is the most recent Grand Prix winner. "A first victory in MotoGP is a dream come true. I have to say thanks to all the people who helped me, especially the team because I could not do this without them." said, Marquez after winning the race. The fellow countryman and Repsol Honda team mate Dani Pedrosa, said, "I did a bad lap time three laps from the end and I lost the race there, but Marc had a good race, so congratulations to him."

As the red lights went out at the new Circuit of the Americas – located on the outskirts of Austin, Texas – it was Pedrosa who seized the lead, while Lorenzo headed backwards courtesy of a poor getaway. A lightning start for LCR Honda MotoGP’s Stefan Bradl allowed the German to go second but he was soon overhauled by Marquez, Lorenzo and Monster Tech 3 Yamaha’s Cal Crutchlow.

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Following Pedrosa and waiting patiently for his moment, Marquez courageously dived up the inside of Turn 7 on the 13th of the 21 laps. Pedrosa would hang onto the back of his teammate, but lost ground courtesy of a small error six laps later. To the delight of his crew, Marquez would take the chequered flag by one and a half seconds, with Lorenzo just over the same margin behind Pedrosa.

Having not tested at the venue a month ago, Crutchlow was more than pleased with fourth – having hoped for a top six result this weekend – as Bradl and Rossi completed that particular group, with the multiple title winner having overhauled GO&FUN Honda Gresini’s Alvaro Bautista. The latter would also fall behind Ducati Team’s Andrea Dovizioso, who progressed to seventh on the final lap and then avoided a last-corner lunge from his rival. Leading American rider Nicky Hayden and Energy T.I. Pramac Racing’s Andrea Iannone rounded out the top ten.

Extending his lead in the CRT ranks, Power Electronics Aspar’s Aleix Espargaro enjoyed a strong ride to 11th place ahead of two prototype riders – English rookie Bradley Smith (Tech 3) and American Ben Spies (Ignite Pramac Racing) – as well as French teammate Randy de Puniet. PBM enjoyed its strongest weekend to date, with Yonny Hernandez sealing the final point for 15thposition while Michael Laverty recorded his first MotoGP finish in 16th with the team’s own-built bike. Avintia Blusens maintained the symmetry in 17th and 18th, with Hiroshi Aoyama having overtaken Hector Barbera, while NGM Mobile Forward Racing’s Claudio Corti, Gresini CRT rider Bryan Staring and Attack Performance Racing’s Blake Young (the single wildcard rider in the race) completed the field.

It was a hugely disappointing afternoon for Came IodaRacing Project. Danilo Petrucci was fortunate to stay upright when teammate Lucas Pesek crashed out of the race directly behind him, only to retire in the pits with mechanical gremlins only minutes later. Colin Edwards was also on the sidelines, as the local Texan hero racked up the unenviable fact of becoming the race’s first of three retirements.

Final Standing After Final Lap

Standing Rider Country Team Time

1. Marc Marquez ESP Repsol Honda Team 43m 42.123s

2. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda Team 43m 43.657s

3. Jorge Lorenzo ESP Yamaha Factory Racing 43m 45.504s

4. Cal Crutchlow GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 43m 48.739s

5. Stefan Bradl GER LCR Honda MotoGP 43m 54.797s

6. Valentino Rossi ITA Yamaha Factory Racing 43m 58.738s

7. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Ducati Team 44m 4.497s

8. Alvaro Bautista ESP Go&Fun Honda Gresini 44m 4.977s

9. Nicky Hayden USA Ducati Team (GP13) 44m 15.896s

10. Andrea Iannone ITA Energy T.I. Pramac Racing44m 24.235s

11. Aleix Espargaro ESP Power Electronics Aspar 44m 30.960s

12. Bradley Smith GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 44m 32.828s

13. Ben Spies USA Ignite Pramac Racing 44m 56.255s

14. Randy De Puniet FRA Power Electronics Aspar 44m 57.774s

15. Yonny Hernandez COL Paul Bird Motorsport 45m 1.714s

16. Michael Laverty GBR Paul Bird Motorsport 45m 16.514s

17. Hiroshi Aoyama JPN Avintia Blusens 45m 21.946s

18. Hector Barbera ESP Avintia Blusens 45m 22.075s

19. Claudio Corti ITA NGM Forward Racing 45m 28.896s

20. Bryan Staring AUS Go&Fun Honda Gresini 45m 30.207s

21. Blake Young USA Attack Performance Racing 1 lap

Source. MotoGP.com