Francesco Bagnaia controlled the MotoGP Sprint in Americas GP to win from Alex Rins and Jorge Martin.
It was a solid start from LCR Honda’s Alex Marquez in MotoGP Sprint in Americas GP but pole-sitter Francesco Bagnaia had enough to take the lead on his Ducati. It was Aprilia’s Aleix Esparagro up to third along with Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo.
VR46 Ducati’s Luca Marini dropped 10 places from third 10th, while teammate Marco Bezzecchi also lost six places with Aprilia’s Maverick Vinales also down the order. Pramac Ducati pair of Johann Zarco and Jorge Martin slotted in fifth and sixth.
Gresini Ducati’s Alex Marquez was seventh from KTM’s Jack Miller and RNF Aprilia’s Miguel Oliveira in the Top 9 points places, with KTM’s Brad Binder just outside in 10th. At the front, Rins got past Bagnaia but the Italian came back to retake the lead.
Rins then came in the clutches of Espargaro and a wide moment allowed the Aprilia rider to second with Quartararo taking a look at the LCR rider but wasn’t able to. But the Frenchman soon got Martin on him after he cleared teammate Zarco.
Martin eventually passed Quartararo as Marquez then made the pass on the Frenchman as well. It was a wide moment that allowed the Gresini rider thought but for the Yamaha rider, it wasn’t much as he then had a crash at Turn 1. He managed to continue but was last.
Martin and Marquez ran fourth and fifth, as Binder climbed up from 10th to sixth ahead of Bezzecchi, both of whom passed Zarco. It was a recovery from Marini too in ninth for the final point, as Oliveira was 10th. There was a crash for Ducati’s Michele Pirro too.
As Bagnaia led the way comfortably, Espargaro came under tremendous pressure from Rins and Martin. The LCR rider got though the Aprilia man and a wide moment in the final corner allowed the Pramac man to get through in third to drop the Spaniard in fourth.
Just behind them Marquez crashed out, which allowed Binder to be fifth from Bezzecchi and Marini, with Zarco dropping to eighth and Oliveira in ninth. At the front, Bagnaia controlled it well to secure the MotoGP Sprint win in Americas GP.
Rins was second from Martin who just kept Espargaro at bay despite the late attempt. Binder was sixth from Bezzecchi, Marini, Oliveira and Miller where the Australian got the final point after Zarco dropped to 11th behind Vinales on the final lap.
#TissotSprint done! ✅
What does the Grand Prix hold in store tomorrow? 🤠#AmericasGP 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/FQ1Kjb2InV
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) April 15, 2023