Marc Marquez fought it out with teammate Dani Pedrosa for victory in the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas, before being able to break clear in the latter laps of the race to take a stunning fifth win in a row in Austin.
The last time Marquez had stood on top of the podium, was when he clinched last year’s title in Suzuka, so this victory marked a welcome return to the top and boosted his fortunes up the championship ladder to third place behind Rossi and Viñales.
Marc Marquez – P1
‘This was a crucial race because after Argentina it was important to come back in the best way, so we are really happy with this result. Although I won, it was difficult, because the temperature was much higher than yesterday. Five minutes before the start, I said to my chief mechanic, ”OK, let’s use the hard tyre”, because I knew that I would push the medium front tyre a lot. In the beginning I was just trying to understand the limit because I hadn’t tried it a lot on Friday. I was behind Dani and when I saw that he was struggling a little bit and Valentino was challenging, I said, ”Time to attack.” I was able to win, and I’m happy to be back in the championship.’
‘This was a crucial race because after Argentina it was important to come back in the best way, so we are really happy with this result. Although I won, it was difficult, because the temperature was much higher than yesterday. Five minutes before the start, I said to my chief mechanic, ”OK, let’s use the hard tyre”, because I knew that I would push the medium front tyre a lot. In the beginning I was just trying to understand the limit because I hadn’t tried it a lot on Friday. I was behind Dani and when I saw that he was struggling a little bit and Valentino was challenging, I said, ”Time to attack.” I was able to win, and I’m happy to be back in the championship.’
Valentino Rossi put on a late charge to take second, with Pedrosa completing the podium. Former Championship leader Maverick Viñales crashed out early on.
Valentino Rossi – P2
‘It was a great surprise for me and for the team because we were struggling very much with the new bike, especially during the winter. I think we need more time to understand the setting and the way to ride it, but at the end this bike is very good, especially in the race and with the used tyres. I‘m so happy, because today I wasn‘t so far from the front and it‘s also the best result of my career at this track, so it‘s good. I felt good and I also saw Dani having some problems, especially on the right, so I said ”maybe those four points are important” and in fact it was like that. For me the penalty wasn‘t right. The problem is we either do it like this, or we crash together at a very dangerous point. But for me, though accepting Race Direction‘s decision, the mistake was made by Zarco.’
‘It was a great surprise for me and for the team because we were struggling very much with the new bike, especially during the winter. I think we need more time to understand the setting and the way to ride it, but at the end this bike is very good, especially in the race and with the used tyres. I‘m so happy, because today I wasn‘t so far from the front and it‘s also the best result of my career at this track, so it‘s good. I felt good and I also saw Dani having some problems, especially on the right, so I said ”maybe those four points are important” and in fact it was like that. For me the penalty wasn‘t right. The problem is we either do it like this, or we crash together at a very dangerous point. But for me, though accepting Race Direction‘s decision, the mistake was made by Zarco.’
After two wins from two in the first races of the season, Viñales slid out of contention, a soft low-side, put him out of the fight and saw him take zero points for the first time since Argentina 2016, relinquishing his championship lead to teammate Rossi, the difference now six points between the two men, while maintaining a Yamaha 1-2 at the top of the championship table.
