RACING: Brilliant Marquez takes Texas

Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) has produced yet another clinical performance at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, winning his sixth consecutive race at the venue, this time ahead of Maverick Vinales (Movistar Yamaha) and Andrea Iannone in his first podium for Ecstar Suzuki.

But it was Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati) – who was fifth at COTA – who took the championship lead in America. As the title now prepares to head into Europe for the first time, Dovi is on 46 points ahead of Marquez (45), Vinales (41), Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol, 38), Iannone (31) and Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha, 31). Aussie Jack Miller (Alma Pramac Ducati) is eighth on 26 points.

FULL RESULTS ACROSS ALL CLASSES

Marquez has now won 12 consecutive races on American soil.

“Today I was totally focused, as I wanted to remain perfect here at Austin. I don't think that ever in my career have I had such a race, pushing so hard from the first lap," said Marquez.

"Today I felt that this was the right way and was able to do it, in part because my bike’s setup helped me a lot, so thanks to everyone in my garage as they’ve worked really well and hard. Yesterday I was a bit ill, and even today I didn’t feel I had perfect energy, but it turned out to be a good race anyway -- a lonely one, but sometimes it goes like that.

"I told the team that I wanted to try to lead the race from the beginning and pull a gap. So in the first three or four laps, I pushed a bit more than usual, and then I managed the advantage. Today I had special motivation. There was a lot of pressure, but I like the pressure, as it helps to keep focused.

"We now go back to Europe, where we must be consistent, because look who’s leading the standings: Dovi, the most consistent rider! The feeling with my bike is very good, and the same has been true in Qatar and Argentina, so we’ll try and continue this way.”

It was Iannone who got the holeshot from second on the grid, but Marquez also got a stunner from row two – slotting into second and on the chase behind the ‘Maniac’. Making his move soon after and taking the lead, the number 93 started to pull a gap – but Iannone wasn’t done, and gave it everything for a late dive up the inside of the reigning Champion. Running a bit wide on the exit, Marquez took him back – then putting his head down.

From there on out, the spectacular ballet of man and machine once more ruled the rodeo in Texas.

Behind, however, it was getting pretty tight. Rossi was pressuring teammate Viñales for third as Iannone held firm in second. But lap-by-lap, Viñales was able to ease away and stake his claim on P2 – closing in on Iannone before a well-judged pass into turn one saw the Spaniard able to get through and then pull away. Keeping it calm, he took his first podium of the season in second, and Iannone did the same in third.

Rossi came home fourth, with Dovizioso taking fifth after a particularly difficult weekend. Well-rewarded for a solid race, the 2017 runner-up made a late pass on Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3).

Zarco was top Independent Team rider in P6, with former championship leader Crutchlow sliding out at the final corner when attacking the Frenchman earlier in the race. Alex Rins (Ecstar Suzuki) also then suffered a tumble soon after – riders okay and Crutchlow able to rejoin.

Meanwhile, Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda) followed up two stunning showings on Friday and Saturday to come home in a superhuman P7. Back on track and racing just over a week after surgery on his broken wrist sustained in the Argentina GP, the ‘Little Samurai’ rode a heroic push through the pain barrier around the punishing, technical challenge of the Circuit of the Americas in a performance worthy of the history books, taking home nine points ahead of the Championship’s return to one of his best venues: Jerez.

There was a Borgo Panigale battle around three seconds behind Pedrosa, with Tito Rabat (Reale Avintia Ducati) impressively beating Miller to the line for eighth. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) completed the top 10, putting in an impressive push to keep Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati) behind him after a tough race for the five-time world champion.

“I am very pleased especially as I was able to recover a lot of positions. It’s clear that we can do much better, especially in qualifying, but this is still a good result," said Miller.

"After overtaking Lorenzo and Rabat I was convinced that I could easily finish in eighth but I made a small mistake. It doesn’t matter, we’ll do better in Jerez."

Danilo Petrucci (Alma Pramac Ducati) took P12, ahead of some impressive points for Pol Espargaro and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing in P13. Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) was top rookie in 14th, ahead of Alvaro Bautista (Angel Nieto Ducati).