Rins stuns with MotoGP victory in Texas

Marco Bezzechi left the start line of the 20-lap American GP with a slim one-point advantage over Pecco Bagnaia (Team Lenovo Ducati). But when he crossed the line, that lead had increased to 11 points over his compatriot. Not because the Mooney VR46 rider had a particularly strong race, but for the second grand prix in a row, Bagnaia crashed out of the pointy end – this time succumbing to pressure from Alex Rins (LCR Honda) while he was leading on lap eight.

It was the first mistake the Italian made all weekend, after claiming pole position following a strong showing in practice and winning the 10-lap Sprint the day prior. Rins, who finished second in the Sprint, kept his cool for the remaining 12 laps to give his LCR Honda squad its first win since 2018 and its 100th podium. In doing so, he managed some late-race pressure from Luca Marini (Mooney VR46), who nabbed third place from Fabio Quartararo (Monster Yamaha) with eight laps to go, as the Italian celebrated his first-ever full-length GP podium.

Despite the front three being separated by as much as five seconds at the chequered flag, it was a relatively dramatic 20 laps with nine riders failing to see the finish line. The opening lap claimed Alex Marquez (Gresini Ducati) and Sprint third-place getter Jorge Martin (Pramac Ducati) when the latter lost the front, taking them both down. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) slid off a few corners later, and Aussie hearts were broken when Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM) crashed out of third place on lap seven, having gained seven places from 10th on the grid – it was his sixth crash of the weekend.

Bagnaia was next to go, followed by Joan Mir (Repsol Honda), Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM), Taka Nakagami (Idemitsu LCR Honda) and Stefan Bradl (Repsol Honda), while Raul Fernandez (RNF Aprilia) retired with a mechanical issue. Binder remounted to finish 13th and last of the finishers.

Maverick Vinales (Aprilia Racing) suffered once again off the start line, finding himself as low as 10th on the opening lap. But there was nothing wrong with his speed, especially late in the race, having passed Miguel Oliveira (RNF Aprilia), Johann Zarco (Pramac Ducati) and Bezzechi to finish fourth by the flag. Oliveira stayed with him to finish fifth, while a fading Zarco dropped behind eventual sixth-place-getter Bezzechi for seventh.

Franco Morbidelli (Monster Yamaha) finished eighth, some 20 seconds behind the winner, with Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Ducati) and rookie Augusto Fernandez (Tech3 GasGas) rounding out the top 10.

It was an impressive showing from Rins, not just because it was just his third outing on the notoriously difficult Honda, but because he was the only Honda rider to stay on for all 20 laps, adding a Honda win to victories in both the Moto2 and Moto3 classes at the Texan circuit, as well as a win with Suzuki in 2019.

The win in the GP, as well as the second-place finish in the Sprint, elevates the Spaniard six places in the title chase – he’s now up to third overall with 47 points. Bezzechi leads the way with 64, 11 clear of Bagnaia (53). Vinales (45) is up to fourth ahead of Zarco (44). Miller finds himself down in 12th on 26 points.

The series now heads back to Europe for Round 4 at Jerez, slated for April 28 to 30.