After a three-week break following the Portuguese GP, MotoGP is finally back in action at the Circuit of the Americas. This round holds particular significance as it marks the first race since US media giant Liberty acquired Dorna Sports in a deal worth €4.2 billion. The excitement is palpable as the teams and riders gear up to showcase their skills on the track.
Changes at COTA and Lap Time Challenges
The Circuit of the Americas has undergone some changes since MotoGP last visited Texas. The track has been partially resurfaced, presenting a new challenge to the riders. Despite this, lap times during the practice session were over two seconds off the all-time record set by Francesco Bagnaia in 20213. The session saw Maverick Vinales setting the initial pace with a 2m07.601s, which he later improved to a 2m03.294s on fresh medium Michelin rubber. This impressive time put him at the top of the leaderboard, closely followed by championship leader Jorge Martin.
As the field navigated the partially resurfaced COTA, lap times varied, with different riders taking turns to lead the times. Marc Marquez, a seven-time winner at COTA, had a modest eighth-place finish in the practice session. However, the leaderboard saw constant shuffling with Martin, Jack Miller, and Pedro Acosta challenging Vinales for the top spot. Ultimately, it was Vinales who secured first place with a blistering lap time towards the end of the session.
Standout Performances and Surprises
One of the standout performances of the session came from rookie sensation Pedro Acosta, who finished in third place after scoring his maiden podium in Portugal. Enea Bastianini, the winner at COTA in 2022, also showcased his skills by finishing fourth on the factory team Ducati. The session had its surprises, with some riders opting to stick with the same tires throughout, while others, like Vinales and Martin, capitalized on fresh rubber to improve their lap times.
As the practice session concluded, riders and teams are already looking ahead to the race. With Vinales showing strong pace and Martin trailing closely behind, the competition is expected to be fierce at the Circuit of the Americas. Fans can anticipate thrilling battles on track as the riders push themselves to the limit in pursuit of victory. Stay tuned for more updates and action from the MotoGP event at COTA.
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