As the 2019 MotoGP world championship slides into the 3rd round at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA), our excitement levels were touching the sky. This is Marquez’s territory and has been crowned as the King of COTA because of his phenomenal winning record. However, who knew that his title would be snatched away by another Spaniard.
Marquez had the pole position and thus carried a decent start. Just like always, he took the lead of the race and continued his winning pace. It looked like another Marquez-winning race. However, things took a turn when he lost his front end on lap 9 at turn 12. He tried to defy physics but failed to regain control of his Repsol Honda race bike and his race ended then and there.
Marc’s elimination gave Rossi the lead of the race. The Doctor was in good form and quickly completing laps. Following Valentino was Alex Rins on his Suzuki. With each passing lap, he made the gap shorter and shorter and soon reached the tail of the Yamaha M1. With only 4 laps remaining, Alex made his move and overtook Rossi to become the race leader.
Of course, Rossi retaliated instantly in the next corner desperately passing by the Suzuki on turn 11 but he went overboard and wide allowing Rins to get past again and gain a half-second lead. Rossi tried to catch up but couldn’t match young Rins’ pace. And that was it.
Alex Rins crossed the chequered flag and claimed his first-ever MotoGP victory and gave Suzuki its first MotoGP win since 2016 at Silverstone. Rossi came 2nd giving hopes to his million fans that he’s still the world champion material and can have the crown this year. The 3rd place at the podium was taken by Jack Miller, his first podium since the dramatic win at Assen back in 2016.
Joan Mir and Maverick Vinales were given a ride-through penalty for jump starts which caused both of them to lose many places and finish 17th and 11th respectively. Cal Crutchlow was looking in great shape but crashed out on lap 5 after losing his front. Andrea Dovizioso managed to finish 4th and became the 2019 world championship leader with 54 points, followed by Rossi at 51 points and Alex Rins with 49 points.
It was a disaster for Repsol Honda as Marquez crashed out and Jorge Lorenzo suffered a mechanical issue with his RC213V. So both the Hondas were out of the race. Marquez slipped from the 1st place in the world championship standings to 4th with 45 points.
The 2019 Americas GP was the most exciting race of this season so far. The next race is going to be held at Circuito de Jerez in Spain in May.
Race results:
Alex Rins ESP Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) 41m 45.499s
Valentino Rossi ITA Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) 41m 45.961s
Jack Miller AUS Pramac Ducati (GP19) 41m 53.953s
Andrea Dovizioso ITA Mission Winnow Ducati (GP19) 41m 54.919s
Franco Morbidelli ITA Petronas Yamaha SRT (YZR-M1) 42m 3.520s
Danilo Petrucci ITA Mission Winnow Ducati (GP19) 42m 6.975s
Fabio Quartararo FRA Petronas Yamaha SRT (YZR-M1)* 42m 11.610s
Pol Espargaro ESP Red Bull KTM Factory (RC16) 42m 15.242s
Francesco Bagnaia ITA Pramac Ducati (GP18)* 42m 16.107s
Takaaki Nakagami JPN LCR Honda (RC213V) 42m 16.510s
Maverick Viñales ESP Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) 42m 19.576s
Andrea Iannone ITA Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) 42m 20.278s
Johann Zarco FRA Red Bull KTM Factory (RC16) 42m 27.957s
Miguel Oliveira POR Red Bull KTM Tech3 (RC16)* 42m 29.771s
Tito Rabat ESP Reale Avintia Ducati (GP18) 42m 30.122s
Karel Abraham CZE Reale Avintia Ducati (GP18) 42m 30.239s
Joan Mir SPA Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR)* 42m 33.562s
Hafizh Syahrin MAL Red Bull KTM Tech3 (RC16) 42m 53.182s
Jorge Lorenzo ESP Repsol Honda (RC213V) DNF
Marc Marquez ESP Repsol Honda (RC213V) DNF
Cal Crutchlow GBR LCR Honda (RC213V) DNF
Aleix Espargaro ESP Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) DNF
