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Sprint Race
Follow the Grand Prix Americas live. This MotoGP race starts at 21:00 on 13 April 2024. Find race results, calendar, standings, scores and all of this season’s MotoGP races.
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Highlights
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BYE FOR NOW!
That's it for the Americas GP for the time being, thank you for your company throughout today's Sprint. The riders will be back out on track for the Grand Prix race tomorrow; it's lights out at 8pm UK time - see you then!
VINALES POST-RACE
'I'm dreaming! I want to keep going, the level was amazing, so I just want to go again. We deserve it, so let's go!'
MARQUEZ POST-RACE
'It was a bit harder than what I expected. On the first lap I was quite strong, on the second lap [as well]. But then I started to feel not so well and I decided to wait for my moment. I was at the front of the group, but then when Pedro [Acosta] attacked me, I said, okay, now is the time, and then I was half a second faster on the next lap and I was able to open a gap. But we need to understand for tomorrow where we can improve to be with Vinales.'
MARTIN POST-RACE
'Today was a tough day with two crashes this morning and then I was able to make the second row. And today it was a tough race. I struggled quite a lot in the middle of the race with some issues, but finally, to finish on the podium is amazing. We are super consistent, that is the most important thing. More tomorrow and let's go for a better race.'
VINALES WINS IN TEXAS
Vinales has been in a different universe and takes the chequered flag to win the Americas GP Sprint. M Marquez bags second with Martin completing the podium.
Acosta has to settle for fourth ahead of Espargaro. Bastianini reclaims sixth from Miller while Bagnaia bags one extra point in eighth, beating R Fernandez on the final lap.
LAST LAP!
Final lap and the front positions look well settled.
It is getting interesting for sixth though with Miller holding a bunch of riders, led by Bastianini, behind him for now.
FURTHER DOWN THE ORDER
Espargaro is holding on to fifth, but Bastianini has lost another position and fallen into seventh behind Miller. R Fernandes is eighth and Bagnaia has made it into the points in ninth.
FRONT POSITIONS SETTLED FOR NOW
It has gapped out at the front with Vinales two seconds ahead of M Marquez who in turn holds a second over Martin. Acosta follows in fourth with space on either side.
MARQUEZ RESPONDS
Something must have clicked in M Marquez who is now gaining some space to Martin.
ACOSTA ATTACKS, MARTIN PROFITS
Acosta attacks M Marquez for second but can't make it stick. The resulting loss of momentum is enough for Martin to capitalise and sneak past Acosta.
DISASTER FOR FACTORY DUCATIS
Bastianini loses fifth to Espargaro and, to make matters worse for the factory Ducati team, Bagnaia is still 10th and evidentially lacking pace.
TROUBLE FOR MARQUEZ
M Marquez looks in a bit of discomfort here with small errors here and there. Acosta can't find a way through for the time being though.
MARTIN CLOSES IN
As Vinales escapes at the front, Martin has caught Acosta and M Marquez. There is nothing separating the three bikes now.
VINALES CHECKS OUT
Fastets lap from Vinales and it's a big one. He makes up seven tenths on M Marquez over just one lap, taking his advantage to over a second.
MARTIN LEADS THE CHASE
The top three now look quite content to just extend their advantage over the rest of the field rather than attacking each other.
Martin is now the first chaser after a beautiful overtake on Bastianini.
TOP 3 BREAK
There's a gap already between the top three and the chasers. Vinales looks comfortable in the lead, but M Marquez is under some pressure from Acosta who is looking race-y.
VINALES TAKES HOLESHOT
Pole sitter Vinales holds on to the position into Turn 1 with M Marquez moving up into second. Acosta follows in third.
Meanhwile. Bagnaia has a horrendous start and falls into 10th.
WARM-UP LAP
The riders are out on the Circuit of the Americas for their warm-up lap.
WEATHER REPORT AND TYRE NEWS
It's bright blue skies and nothing should interfere with a great Sprint today.
Compound-wise, it's a level playing field with everyone on a medium front, soft rear combination.
PREMIER DUCATI WIN FOR MARQUEZ?
With seven wins in Austin to his name, many have tipped Marc Marquez the favourite for this weekend. However, the Ducati rider himself quelled victory talks: 'Obviously it's a good track for my riding style, in the past we've had many good results. But right now, as we saw in Portimao, there are three or four riders that are faster than me. So let's see if I can be a bit closer here.
'If you said "You'll achieve your first [Grand Prix race] podium," I would sign. Before a victory, you must arrive at the podium, so let's see step by step.'
ACOSTA MANAGES EXPECTATIONS
High-flying rookie Pedro Acosta has been impressing the MotoGP world all season-long, culminating in him becoming the first rider to take GASGAS to the podium last time out. However, the Spaniard insisted to not get too excited just yet: 'We don't have expectations anymore. We need to be realistic and know that we cannot expect results after two races. But it would be super nice [to do well in Austin]. Last year I enjoyed to riding the Moto2 bike around COTA, so let's try to enjoy.'
BAGNAIA KEEN TO BOUNCE BACK
Having won the Sprint and then dominated the Grand Prix before crashing out at Austin last season, defending champion Francesco Bagnaia is hoping to bounce back from an unfortunate weekend last time out in Portugal: 'It's a track I like, last year I was very competitive. I think we can be competitive again; it's a different track compared to Portimao, so let's see what we can do and see if we can improve the feeling from Portimao that gave me some trouble in the race.'
CHAMPIONSHIP LEADER MARTIN LOOKING TO LAY COTA DEMONS TO REST
Jorge Martin claimed the championship lead with victory last time out in Portugal to top of what has been a great season for him so far. The Spaniard is chasing his first ever podium finish in Austin: 'For sure, I'm really happy with the start of the season so far, I think we are doing a great job. I think ou target is to be better than the years before. I struggled quite a lot at this track last season and my main target is to be better every year and let's see.
'It will be a big challenge because there are a lot of strong riders for this weekend, but I feel confident, I think we are doing a great job, and I feel I'm in a good physical condition which is very important here also - last season I had a fever and was struggling with antibiotics quite a lot. So I hope I can be one of the best.'
WHAT HAPPENED IN QUALIFYING
Maverick Vinales stormed to an all-time lap record at COTA to secure pole position for this weekend. Rookie sensation Pedro Acosta bagged his first premier class front row in second with Marc Marquez completing the top three.
HELLO AND WELCOME
Good evening and welcome to our live text coverage of the Americas GP Sprint. The paddock has arrived at the Circuit of the Americas for what is promising to be another exciting round of racing.
Jorge Martin is keen to extend his championship lead while Francesco Bagnaia will do everything he can to be back on top. However, it's been Maverick Vinales who has been stealing the headlines so far this weekend. Who will reign supreme in Texas? We're about to find out!
Americas GP Sprint Live - Vinales on pole for first bit of Texas rodeo