Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1519162
11 on laps two and three, only to run wide. Behind, Bagnaia and Marquez made short work of Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM), even if the Gresini man made contact event since Formula One owners Liberty Media announced its $4.7 billion acquisition, encounters like this should make the sport an easy sell to the masses Stateside for the new American overlords. This was by some distance the finest MotoGP race the Circuit of the Americas has served up. After securing an epic pole position and Sprint victory on Saturday, keeping Marquez and Martin at arm's length, major ex - pectations fell on Vinales' shoul- ders at the start. But it appeared this would be another case of potential unfulfilled, with the race just one-turn old. A poor getaway due to an all-too-famil - iar clutch issue had him fourth entering turn one, and Martin's lunge on Bagnaia caused him to lift and run off track. Rejoining in 11th, all appeared lost. Yet the frenetic exchanges up front ensured the pace didn't drop for several laps at least. Acosta led the early laps capably despite Martin's incessant pres - sure. The Pramac Ducati twice lunged under the rookie at turn in modern MotoGP history to win premier-class races on three makes of machinery. Vinales wasn't the only star here. For the third weekend in succession, Acosta lived up to his much-hyped reputation, leading six of the 20 laps, while passing and repassing the lead - ing names of the class. While the others were found wanting in the closing laps as Vinales sought to decisively break clear, it was the rookie that pushed him hardest, ensuring Aprilia bosses could not rest easy until the checkered flag. His second place means he's the young - est rider to score back-to-back MotoGP podiums in history—at 19 years and 325 days old. The timing of this blockbuster couldn't have been better for series organizer Dorna. The first 5 JOHANN ZARCO DNF/DNF MOTOGP Castrol Honda LCR rider Johann Zarco pulled into the pits and retired on lap six with a mechanical issue. "Already on the first lap, I felt some vi- brations on the rear side of the bike," Zarco said. "Although I tried my best, the situation worsened, and I started losing time, so I had to retire. We must understand what happened and see how to improve for the next race." MYOWNRACE ROUND 3 / APRIL 12-14, 2024 CIRCUIT OF THE AMERICAS / AUSTIN, TEXAS MOTOGP I FIM MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP P94 Vinales was thrilled to get a third MotoGP win on a third different brand.