Vinales makes MotoGP history hard way in Grand Prix of Americas

AUSTIN: Maverick Vinales overcame a horror start from pole on his Aprilia to claw his way back and win the Grand Prix of the Americas MotoGP in Texas on Sunday (Apr 14).

Exciting teenaged rookie Pedro Acosta took second with Enea Bastianini completing the podium of the third race weekend of the season.

Vinales, who had dropped back to 11th after a disastrous run from pole to the first corner, wrote his name into motorcycling history as the first rider to win a MotoGP race with three different teams - Suzuki, Yamaha, and now Aprilia.

"Thank you guys, I was feeling everyone pushing me, here in America," Vinales told the fans at the circuit in downtown Austin.

"History made, thank you America, I'm super happy. We need to keep working, the pace was amazing."

In a race as exciting as any rodeo show in the Lone Star State there was high drama with 10 laps to go, Marc Marquez crashing to the ground seconds after taking the lead -- the veteran Spaniard's chances of an eighth win at the track and a first for his new Ducati satellite Gresini team buried in the Texan dust.

Championship leader Jorge Martin came in fourth with defending world champion Francesco Bagnaia's factory Ducati in his slipstream.

Vinales had been untouchable all weekend, posting a record qualifying lap and winning Saturday's sprint.

But the Spaniard's golden touch deserted him at lights out as he went wide into the first turn to leave Acosta out in front.

Acosta remained in control to lead a lap of MotoGP for the first time in only his third race in the elite division, followed by Martin and Bagnaia.

After a number of failed attempts Martin finally got the measure of Acosta, who slipped back to fourth.

Regaining his composure after his start to forget Vinales had crept