MotoGP: Why Marc Marquez ran from grid to cause chaotic delay to start of Grand Prix Americas
Updated 31/03/2025 at 07:17 GMT+1
Grand Prix Americas in Texas had the most extraordinary start, leaving the TNT Sports commentary team aghast, when Marc Marquez led a number of riders in leaving the grid and running to the pit lane to switch to dry-condition bikes. Because 10 or more riders left the grid, the start could be delayed. Eventually, Marquez crashed out of the race and Francesco Bagnaia claimed victory.
'Marquez has bolted off the grid!' - Chaos erupts ahead of Grand Prix as riders sprint for pitlane
Video credit: TNT Sports
The start of Grand Prix Americas descended into chaos on Sunday as a number of riders switched to dry bikes at the last minute.
Rain had been falling on and off all day in Texas, but was subsiding as the main race was due to begin at 2pm local time (8pm BST).
Marc Marquez kicked off all the drama when he suddenly left his wet-condition bike on the grid and ran to the pit lane to switch to a dry setup.
A host of other riders, understandably not wanting to be left disadvantaged, quickly followed his lead.
The TNT Sports commentary team were in a state of shock at the highly unusual developments, with rule books quickly being scanned and conversations starting up about whether the race could be delayed.
The chaos seemed to reach its peak when Spain's Maverick Vinales was seen running down the grid with no bike at all, demanding one was handed to him.
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Highlights: Bagnaia pounces on Marquez error to triumph in Austin
Video credit: TNT Sports
"What's going on?" Neil Hodgson shouted from the TNT Sports commentary box. "We shouldn't delay the start. The rules are the rules, this is a driver decision."
Meanwhile, Gavin Emmett summed up the situation succinctly as he said: "What's the story here? Carnage, chaos, this is wild. What a mess, what a mess."
Emmett also suggested he had some quick work to do, saying: "I want to be able to scan the rules, but there's 386 pages' worth of rules in the book that I've got in front of me."
Hodgson responded: "I would say I will fill for you Gav, but I don't know if I can fill that much while you skim that lot."
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What is the rule?
As it happens, a new rule was introduced following last year's rain-affected race in Japan, stating that if 10 or more riders left the grid before the warm-up lap a red flag could be shown, which it duly was.
A restart procedure is then able to take place, which it did 10 minutes later, with riders setting out for the warm-up lap on their new dry bikes. One lap was cut from the race, from 20 to 19.
Three riders were already on the dry bikes before all the drama occurred - Brad Binder (KTM), Enea Bastianini (KTM Tech3) and Ai Ogura (Trackhouse Aprilia).
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'Marc planned that...everyone copied him' - Mass bike abandonment explained after crazy start
Video credit: TNT Sports
Ogura's team boss Davide Brivio did not hide his disappointment, saying: "I am very upset, to be honest. We took a gamble, we took the right decision.
"When it was time to start they stopped everything because some riders, the riders who left the grid, they left the grid.
"They made the wrong choice. Why didn't they allow us to start on the right choice? Now everything is gone. Our gamble - we took a risk, we took a gamble, we made the right decision, now everything is... bah."
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Bagnaia celebrated victory in Texas on Sunday
Image credit: Getty Images
Explaining the situation after the race, the MotoGP race director Mike Webb said: "We called for a delay and then quick-start procedure due to safety concerns.
"Given the number of riders, bikes and pit staff on the grid and in the pitlane area, it was impossible to start the warm-up lap.
"A new race start was the safest way to respond to the unprecedented circumstances at the start of the Grand Prix.
"We will analyse the situation together with the teams and revisit the regulations."
As it transpired, Marquez - who had up to this point enjoyed a perfect start to the season - did not take advantage as he crashed out of the race, with Italy's Francesco Bagnaia claiming victory.
Alex Marquez finished second, and now leads his brother Marc by one point in the title race.
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