MotoGP Austin: Quartararo shines in FP3 as Aprilia heads to Q1

Monster Energy Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo was back in command of the FP3 times at the Circuit of the Americas on Saturday.

The current MotoGP Champion topped the standings with a 2’02.361 on his final lap of the 45-minute session from an impressive showing by Gresini Racing’s Enea Bastianini. Ducati Lenovo’s Jack Miller continuing to enjoy the Texas ride in third.

Monster Energy’s Franky Morbidelli took charge as FP3 fired up on Saturday morning in America. Miller and Pramac’s Johann Zarco bickering for early Ducati honours before Aprilia’s Maverick Viñales arrived and Alex Marquez crashed out on the LCR Honda.

Pol Espargaro looked to be back on form as he headed the early times on his Repsol Honda after a difficult and painful Friday for the 30-year-old before the leading trio struck back once again. Bastianini running fastest after 20 minutes with a 2’03.410, albeit still a second shy of Friday’s target. Zarco, Aleix Espargaro and Fabio Quartararo now best of the rest.

Marc Marquez suffered a moment on the RC213V running fifth at the halfway stage. Suzuki’s Joan Mir and Viñales narrowly behind in the session’s standings as Miller, Takaaki Nakagami and the younger Espargaro completed the top ten. The LCR man the first to have improved on his Friday effort to 17th overall before a 2’03.286 hit the top in FP3 and became the gateway to Q2 contention.

Aprilia continued to command attention as Espargaro and Vinales sat second and third respectably as the session heated up. Mir sliding into the lead with his ninth lap of the day before the leading quartet swap positions in quick succession. The Suzuki setting the pace with the first 2’02 of the day to take fourth in the combined times.

The Repsol rider joined his brother with