A new circuit is always a good leveller and after the
thrills of the opening round
of the 2013 season much was expected from the Texan GP. Only the factory Yamaha and Honda teams tested in Austin, meaning they had a decided advantage. Although no one told Cal Crutchlow and he stuck his 'satellite' Yamaha ahead of Rossi (who had the embarrassment of a CRT bike snapping at his heels on the grid) in fourth spot. However as Qatar proved, grid position doesn't always reflect Rossi's first lap position...
It was a battle of the Repsol Hondas up front
With a huge speed advantage, the big danger in Texas was the prospect of the Hondas checking out and the first few laps looked like it was going to be a case of Honda domination. A poor start by Jorge Lorenzo, Rossi getting duffed up by Bautista and Cal stuck behind Stefan Bradl all pointed at Dani Pedrosa and Marc Marquez clearing off into the Texan sunshine. A disappearing act that was helped even further by Lorenzo making an uncharacteristic error, running slightly wide and dropping a few vital metres. A trick that Cal repeated, losing time on Bradl, while Rossi was stuck with a Dayglo Honda in the way.
Out the front and it was a Repsol riding demonstration rather than a race with Pedrosa leading the way and Marquez tucking dutifully in behind. Or was he just biding his time? The Yamaha's lack of speed meant Lorenzo was in no man's land while both Rossi and Cal were making errors as they tried to make up their top speed disadvantage with bravery.
Marquez prevailed, making history in the process
Even with 13 laps to go the only thing that really looked likely to change was the order of the Repsol Hondas. Lorenzo was secure in third, Cal had the measure of Bradl in fourth and Rossi you could almost guaranteed would come strong in the final few laps. But what would happen up at the sharp end? Two Spaniards and one of them desperate to win his first MotoGP was a prefect recipe for last lap fireworks. Well it would have been if Marquez had decided to leave it that long...
Lap nine and Marquez's bid to be the youngest MotoGP winner ever took a positive turn as he barged past Pedrosa to take the lead. Faster than his team mate in qualifying and practice, you wouldn't have imagined Dani would have much of an answer but he dug deep and stuck with Marc - although he did look remarkably, and uncharacteristically, ragged. Well, until three to go when Marc's speed eventually saw off his more experienced team mate.
A victory for Marquez, making him the youngest MotoGP winner ever, Dani in second and Jorge third with Cal fourth. Not a great race for spectators but that was more down to the track and you can't take anything away from Marc who was stunning. Two MotoGP races, one win and one second place - the kid is awesome. The next GP is in Spain, anyone else sticking a bet on Marquez making it a double?
Moto2 and Moto3
While MotoGP was a touch processional, Moto3 and Moto2 were far more cut-throat. Moto2 and could Scott Redding do one better than Qatar and take his first win? It all looked good from the start as Scott got a flyer but Qatar winner Espargaro was going ominously fast through the chasing pack. Well, until he fell off...
A mid-race break by Terol secured him the win while Scott dropped to fifth, just out of reach of the battle for second place. Terol first, Rabat second and Kallio third after a bit of last lap contact with Aegerter.
Moto3 saw Rins and Vinales break clear before a red flag with seven laps to go meant the race stopped before a five-lap dash with winner takes all! Five laps of Moto3 action promised some bonkers racing, even more so when Vinales messed up on the first lap. The last lap saw three riders all in with a shot of taking victory and a do or die last corner overtake demoted Salom to third with Vinales second and Rins the eventual and deserved winner.
MotoGP
1. Marquez (Repsol Honda Team)
2. Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team)
3. Lorenzo (Yamaha Factory Racing)
Moto2
1. Terol (Mapfre Aspar Team Moto2)
2. Rabat (Tuente HP 40)
3. Kallio (Marc VDS Racing Team)
Moto3
1. Rins (Estrella Gallacia 0,0)
2. Vinales (Matteo Ferrari)
3. Salom (Red Bull KTM Ajo)
Brit watch
Cal Crutchlow (MotoGP) - 4
Bradley Smith (MotoGP) - 12
Michael Laverty (MotoGP - CRT) - 16
Scott Redding (Moto2) - 5
Danny Kent (Moto2) - 18
Kyle Smith (Moto2) - 21
Danny Webb (Moto3) - 11
John McPhee (Moto3) - 21
Previous rounds:
MotoGP Qatar