MotoGP: American GP – Who was where

April 13, 2022 April 13, 2022

MotoGP returned to Texas for another installment of the American Grand Prix. The main story in the build up to this weekend was the return of ‘Captain America’, Marc Marquez.

Ducati managed to dominate the qualifying session as Martin took pole from Miller and Bagnaia.

Gresini Racing MotoGP:

Enea Bastianini:

After winning the opening Grand Prix of the year in Qatar ‘The Beast’ has doubled up in 2022 as he wins in America. Bastianini started the race from fifth place and rode an incredible race as he left his charge till late on in the race. Bastianini broke the group when he took the lead and won by two seconds. He has also found himself back on top of the championship again.

Fabio Di Giannantonio:

It was another difficult weekend for the rookie Di Giannantonio as he continues to adapt to MotoGP life. The Italian rider started the American Grand Prix in 18th place and went backwards in the race to 21st.

Team Suzuki Ecstar:

Alex Rins:

Suzuki have taken their 500th podium across all classes in Grand Prix racing this weekend as Alex Rins secured seconds place. After starting seventh it was predictable that Rins would come through the pack in America. It was a strong weekend for the Spaniard and he is returning to Europe on great form.

Joan Mir:

The 2020 champion was not conjoined with his teammate this weekend. Mir started the race in eighth but also found his way through and got up to fourth by the chequered flag. The Spaniard has also been on good form and a return to Europe will aid Mir.

Ducati Lenovo Team:

Jack Miller:

It looks like the full factory Ducati squad has finally found something after their issues at the start of 2022. Thriller Miller managed to bring his Ducati across the line in third place. The Australian has always looked COTA so he was expected to go well. This result may be crucial in trying to keep his factory ride for 2023.

Francesco Bagnaia:

After finishing fifth in Argentina Bagnaia has backed up his decent result with another fifth place. After qualifying in third it looked like Bagnaia could get a podium position, but he lacked podium pace in the race. The Italian appeared to be held up by a Pramac Ducati throughout the race which may have hindered him.

Repsol Honda:

Marc Marquez:

‘Captain America’ had an awful start to the American Grand Prix as he bogged his start and ended up dead last. However, Marquez proved he has not lost any talent as he made his way through the field. If Marquez got a good start it could have been a different story for Marquez.

Pol Espargaro:

Another tough weekend for Espargaro as he has struggled to match his podium from Qatar. Espargaro could only manage a 13th place finish after he qualified in 12th place.

Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP:

Fabio Quartararo:

Another weekend which Quartararo will not be pleased with as he could only manage a seventh place finish around COTA. Yamaha will want to be making big changes to their bike if they want to keep the 2021 champion.

Franco Morbidelli:

Another rider who had an awful weekend was Morbidelli. The Italian rider finished outside of the points as he crossed the line in sixteenth place. It is safe to say either the Yamaha is awful or Morbidelli is still struggling post injury.

Pramac Racing:

Jorge Martin:

After qualifying on pole a lot was expected from Martin this weekend. However, he dropped back rapidly after challenging for the lead in the early stages. But Martin ended up finishing the race in eighth place.

Johann Zarco:

When the lights went out it looked obvious that Zarco did not have the pace for the race. Zarco struggled to get further up the order from fifth place. However, he dropped further back and could only manage ninth place.

Aprilia Racing:

Maverick Vinales:

After a great weekend in Argentina Vinales has backed up that result with another top ten finish. Vinales beat his teammate for the first time this year and has finished tenth place in the USA.

Aleix Espargaro:

After winning in Argentina it was a dreadful weekend for Espargaro. The new race winner could only manage 11th place around America. Espargaro will be praying for better results to return in Europe.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing:

Brad Binder:

To say the top KTM was in 12th place in America shows how bad of a weekend they had. Binder started in 17th and continued to show that he is a Sunday man as he made his way up to 12th. But they will be bitterly disappointed after a poor weekend.

Miguel Oliveira:

No points for the Portuguese rider today as he finished 18th place. Oliveira probably cannot wait to leave the USA as he has struggled all weekend. Qualifying in 20th and then finishing in 18th is all that is needed to be said about Oliveira.

LCR Honda:

Takaaki Nakagami:

The Japanese rider looked like a strong result could be on the cards in the America after qualifying tenth. However, it was not meant to be in the race as he dropped back fourteenth place.

Alex Marquez:

Another awful weekend for the younger Marquez as he qualified in 23rd place and then failed to finish. I believe many people will be very surprised if he keeps his ride in 2023.

WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team:

Andrea Dovizioso:

It was a decent for weekend for Dovi after how his start to 2022 has gone. The Italian started in 15th place and that is exactly where he finished in the race.