MotoGP Austin: Bastianini does the double at COTA

Gresini Racing’s Enea Bastianini claimed his second victory in MotoGP after a late-race masterclass at the Circuit of the Americas.

Ducati Lenovo’s Jack Miller settling for the last place on the Texas podium having led for the majority of the 20-lap race with Suzuki Ecstar’s Alex Rins bettering the Australian at the penultimate corner.

The premier class lined up for the 500th Grand Prix of #RacingTogether as the FIM, IRTA, the MSMA and Dorna celebrated a partnership spanning three decades. Pramac’s Jorge Martin held pole for his fourth front row start of the season at COTA as Ducati dominated the first five places on the AmericasGP grid.

Lights out saw Martin in charge from Miller and pecco Bagnaia as Bastianini jumped to fourth. The Gresini rider briefly getting the better of the factory Ducati until Bagnaia hit back to rescue third. Marc Marquez suffering a disastrous start as the pack roared past, the Spaniard falling down the field from ninth to 22nd by the first corner.

Fabio Quartararo took fellow Frenchman Johann Zarco for fifth as the action ignited. Bastianini returning to the final podium position at the close of the final lap while Marquez jumped an impressive seven places and Miller took charge out front.

The leading Yamaha began to fade as Quartararo was dispatched by Zarco with the Suzukis of Alex Rins and Joan Mir advancing fast. Marco Bezzecchi retiring the Mooney VR46 Ducati to the side of the track as the black and orange flag was raised after an early fall.

Marquez was into the points and showing front running pace as he sliced his way back through the pack. The Repsol rider sitting 14th by the end of lap four as Zarco looked to challenge Bagnaia for fourth. The move stuck as the next lap began,