Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia made Argentina forget the misstep with a confident performance on Saturday in Austin/Texas: Fastest in free practice, pole position with the first and so far only 2:01 lap on the 5.513 km long “Circuit of The Americas» and an unchallenged sprint victory, by the way Bagnaia’s second following the premiere in Portimão.
As a result, the defending champion in the World Championship table moved up to one point behind his VR46 buddy and brand colleague Marco Bezzecchi (on Saturday 6th).
“For sure it was one of the best days I’ve had in MotoGP considering the performance we had all day,” summarized the 2022 World Champion. “We just worked so well from Friday morning, my feeling regarding the bike is getting better and better. For the first time I feel great on this track.”
Bagnaia described the course of the sprint: “I started well and just tried to push and set my pace. That was enough to open a gap. The conditions were quite tricky due to the high temperatures, it was very slippery in the braking zones. Of course I’m happy, but now we have to concentrate on Sunday, which will be a lot tougher,” said the Ducati factory rider, looking ahead to the 20-lap race (starting at 9 p.m. CEST).
At the start of the season, the 26-year-old Italian managed the double of sprint and GP victory. When asked if that was also possible at the “Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas”, Bagnaia smiled.
“First of all, 20 laps are a lot, it was already quite long today with ten laps,” said the sprint winner. “I don’t think you can push from the start on Sunday like in a sprint. The first part of the race will definitely be a bit slower. After that we’ll see if I can improve the pace a bit and if it’s enough to get a lead once more.”
“In any case, we have to remain calm,” emphasized Pecco. “Conditions will change, I just saw that it’s supposed to be cooler. So it should be easier to be competitive, but we’ll see.”
By the way: Should Bagnaia also win in Texas on Sunday, he will soon have to march in cowboy boots. At least that’s what a deal made with MotoGP commentator Matt Birt says.
“But I don’t have any, in that case someone would have to give me a present,” laughed the Italian. “You have to pay for that,” said Alex Rins, who was second in qualifying and the sprint.
MotoGP result Sprint, Austin (15.4.):
1. Bagnaia, Ducati, 10 Rdn in 20:35,270 min
2. Rins, Honda, + 2,545 sec
3. Martin, Ducati, +4,706
4. Aleix Espargaró, Aprilia, + 5,052
5. Brad Binder, KTM, + 8,175
6. Bezzecchi, Ducati, +8,877
7. Marini, Ducati, + 9,453
8. Oliveira, Aprilia, + 10,768
9. Miller, KTM, + 12,448
10. Vinales, Aprilia, +12,739
11. Zarco, Ducati, +14,251
12. Mir, Honda, +14.988
13. Nakagami, Honda, +15,592
14. Morbidelli, Yamaha, +16,534
15. Raul Fernandez, Aprilia, +19,290
16. Augusto Fernández, KTM, + 23,128
17. Di Giannantonio, Ducati, + 25.626
18. Bradl, Honda, +25,787
19. Quartararo, Yamaha, +27,169
20. Folger, KTM, + 46,973
– Alex Marquez, Ducati, 4 laps down
– Michele Pirro, Ducati, 5 laps down
Championship status following 5 of 42 races:
1. Bezzecchi, 54 Punkte. 2. Bagnaia 53. 3. Zarco 35. 4. Alex Márquez 33. 5. Viñales 32. 6. Martin 29. 7. Brad Binder 27. 8. Miller 26. 9. Rins 22. 10. Morbidelli 21. 11. Aleix Espargaró 18. 12. Quartararo 18. 13. Marini 18. 14. Augusto Fernández 8. 15. Nakagami 7. 16. Marc Márquez 7. 17. Di Giannantonio 6. 18. Oliveira 5. 19. Mir 5. 20. Raúl Fernández 2.
Constructors’ Championship:
1.Ducati, 83 Punkte. 2. KTM 43. 3. Aprilia 38. 4. Honda 29. 5. Yamaha 27.
Team World Cup:
1. Mooney VR46 Racing, 72 Punkte. 2. Prima Pramac 64. 3. Ducati Lenovo 53. 4. Red Bull KTM 53. 5. Aprilia Racing 50. 6. Gresini Racing 39. 7. Monster Energy Yamaha 39. 8. LCR Honda 29. 9. Repsol Honda 12. 10. GASGAS Tech3, 8. 11. CryptoDATA RNF 7.
