Bagnaia wins US MotoGP after Marquez crashes out

Francesco Bagnaia won an eventful Grand Prix of the Americas on Sunday to end crash-victim Marc Marquez’s perfect start to the MotoGP season.

Six-time elite class champion Marquez was set fair to make it six wins out of six in Texas after romping to victories in the sprints and main races in Thailand, Argentina and Saturday’s sprint in Austin.

But a crash on lap nine did it for the Spanish superstar, gifting victory to his Ducati factory teammate.

Alex Marquez, on a Ducati satellite bike, took second for the sixth time to move one point clear of his older brother in the riders’ standings.

Fabio Di Giannantonio, on another Ducati satellite machine, came in third at the Circuit of the Americas.

Bagnaia supplied Ducati with their 20th consecutive grand prix success, just two shy of Honda’s historic benchmark of 22.

There was chaos before lights out with riders on the grid, their bikes equipped with wet tyres, all set for the start.

Francesco Bagnaia gestures during the MotoGP race. AFP

But then, with the changeable overcast conditions drying, pole-sitter Marc Marquez dramatically ran back to the pits to swop to a bike with slicks, triggering a domino effect as his grid rivals copied his example.

As he had not sat on his bike Marquez did not break any rules, only causing mayhem, and a delayed start with a race reduced by one lap to 19 laps.

There was one last twist to the pre-race drama, when Maverick Vinales, last year’s winner, had to wheel his bike off the grid with an issue to start from the pits.

Marquez got away to a flyer when they were eventually let go to lead from Alex Marquez with Bagnaia up from sixth to third.

Marquez senior quickly stamped his authority on the race with more than a one second cushion over the chasing pack.

Bagnaia moved up to second after eight laps, albeit over two seconds behind the rider who lists the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) as one of his favourite tracks.

Then the race was turned on its head when Marquez crashed on lap nine, slithering off his bike after touching a kerb.

He rejoined in 18th place with 10 laps remaining, only to call it a day a couple of laps later.

Agencies