The world’s elite MotoGP motorcycle racers are preparing for a Stars and Stripes occasion in Austin, Texas, this weekend.
For the Ducati Lenovo Team, this third round will be a busy weekend for riders Marc Márquez (pictured here) and Francesco Bagnaia at the Circuit of the Americas.
Spain’s Márquez was triumphant at the season-opening Thai GP and again at round two in Argentina, giving him a tally of 74 points after two rounds, and all eyes will now focus now on whether he can make it three in a row.
Márquez’ brother, Alex Márquez’ (racing a BK8 Gresini Ducati GP24 bike) is second in the standings, on 58 points, just 16 points behind his sibling rival, with 2023 world champion Bagnaia third overall, 15 points further back, on 43 points.
The COTA (Circuit Of The Americas) has been included in the MotoGP calendar since 2013 with only one Ducati victory (Enea Bastianini, 2022) and seven seals, six of which were in a row (2013-2018), for Márquez.
Extremely fast and currently leader of the riders standings, Márquez’ returns to work this weekend planning to continue his streak of positive results.
On the other hand, Bagnaia’s goal is to return to being truly competitive after another solid weekend where he achieved two important placings.
Currently third in the championship chase, he wants to fight for the top positions.
First appointment on the track for both riders is for the first free practice session.
Marc Márquez (#93 Ducati Lenovo Team) – 1st (74 points):
“We arrive in Austin after two practically perfect weekends, especially the first in Thailand. COTA is a track where I have always managed to be fast, even last year when I was here for the first time on the Ducati. A physically demanding track and in terms of riding too where I have won a lot. We must stay focused, not make mistakes, take care of the details and work hard with the whole Team to be competitive.”
Francesco Bagnaia (#63 Ducati Lenovo Team) – 3rd (43 points):
“The atmosphere in Austin is always special. A very long track, one of the most demanding on the calendar both physically and in terms of riding, with 20 corners.
“In 2023 I scored a nice win in the Sprint, while last year I have struggled more. In Argentina we scored two solid placings, but we weren’t as perfect and competitive as we want. We need to continue working with the team to find good riding feelings again.”
Photo courtesy Ducati
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