Americas MotoGP: Bastianini takes victory with COTA masterclass

Gresini Racing’s Enea Bastianini has reclaimed the 2022 MotoGP championship lead after taking victory at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA). Suzuki’s Alex Rins pipped Ducati rider Jack Miller for second place, while returning champion Marc Marquez produced a spirited charge from last to sixth place.

• Bastianini retakes championship lead
• Rins finishes 2.058 seconds behind in second
• Miller completes podium

Bastianini wins at COTA

It was Miller who led majority of the race after a strong start. Bastianini passed Francesco Bagnaia to move up to third place on Lap 1. By lap 12, he found a way past Jorge Martin to take second place, with Miller following him shortly after.

With five laps to go, Bastianini ducked into the slipstream of Miller and took the lead at Turn 12. Displaying that late-race pace that he is known for, Bastianini then set about stretching his lead out at front. He had a clear run to the finish line to become the first repeat winner this season.

Miller, instead, had to switch focus to defending his position from Rins. After tussling on the last lap, Rins got a good run out of Turn 18 and pipped second place from Miller. Joan Mir ended up fourth, followed by Bagnaia.

Marquez’ charge to sixth place

With doctors giving him the all-clear to go racing, Marquez made his MotoGP return at COTA. Unfortunately, a technical issue saw him suffer a nightmare start as he dropped from ninth to dead last.

But the eight-time world champion staged a spirited comeback. By Lap 5, he was already up to P13 and he then passed his Honda teammate Pol Espargaro two laps later to break into the top 10. He then picked off Aleix Espargaro and reigning champion Fabio Quartararo.

Both Marquez and Quartararo battled it hard for sixth place, but Marquez was able to fend off the Yamaha rider to hold on to the position. Despite his stellar charge up the order, Marquez will nevertheless look back at the race as a lost opportunity to score big points after displaying race-leading pace.

Pole sitter Jorge Martin ended up eighth, followed by Johann Zarco and Maverick Vinales.

MotoGP 2022 championship standings

After following up his Qatar GP win with another victory at COTA, Bastianini once again takes the championship lead by five points from Rins. Argentina MotoGP winner Aleix Espargaro is third overall, six points behind Rins.

The European leg of the championship will now kick off in Portugal on April 24.

2022 Americas MotoGP results

Also see:

Pol Espargaro on 2022 MotoGP expectations, improved Honda bike and more