From pole to victory, Pecco puts in a perfect performance as the action unfolded behind
It was drama from the moment the lights went out in the Tissot Sprint at the Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas. Francesco Baganaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) lined up on pole position for the first time in 2023, and it was game on as the chasing pack were eager to get the better of the number 1. The factory Ducati man proved his worth and brought home the Tissot Sprint victory leaving the rest of the field to battle it out for the scraps. Alex Rins (LCR Honda Castrol) was in the mood as he brought home a very hard-fought 2nd place as Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) came from 12th on the grid to fend off Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) for 3rd place.
The Tissot Sprint at the Circuit of The Americas sprung into life as the lights went out in Austin Texas. It was Alex Rins who got the perfect launch as he took the hole shot into turn 1 before running wide and allowing Bagnaia back through. It only took a few corners before Rins threw his LCR Honda up the inside of Bagnaia before the Italian bit back and used his Ducati power to blast past the Spaniard on the back straight. Meanwhile, Aleix Espargaro and Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) had also made incredible starts finding themselves in 3rd and 4th respectively.
One lap down and Rins was all over the rear wheel of the factory Ducati man before the Spaniard out-braked himself at turn 12, allowing Espargaro through. Quartararo then tried to take advantage and barge his way through making contact with Rins with no space for the Frenchman to get through.
Two laps down and Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) had joined the battle out the front, flying his way past Quartararo to move into P4 from 12th on the grid.
Quartararo did his best to find off the Ducati rocketships, but the Frenchman was a sitting duck on board his Yamaha YZF-M1. Trying to defend from Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) on the brakes, the 2021 World Champion overshot turn 12 allowing the Gresini man through. Half a lap later and Quartararo was on the limit of his Yamaha machine before crashing out of the Sprint at turn 1 and re-joining in 21st place to finish in 19th.
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