Marc Márquez Takes First Win at COTA

Repsol Honda Team's Marc Márquez becomes the youngest ever MotoGP winner in Austin

The checkered flag was waved at the Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas in Austin as Repsol Honda Racing's Marc Márquez takes the win and earns a new title: the youngest ever MotoGP winner. The 20-year-old rising star has put on an incredible performance this weekend in what was only his second MotoGP race of his career. This stellar jump to the top of the pack has made him a fan favorite and puts him in the fight for the championship title this year.

Following behind Márquez, Repsol Honda teammate Dani Pedrosa and Yamaha Factory Racing's Jorge Lorenzo secured second and third in the race, respectively. The race started as it finished for the top three riders, although a poor start by Márquez left him fighting Pedrosa until lap 13 when he made a move into Turn 7. The two Hondas, battling it out in front, showed off their dominating performance this weekend as the gap with Lorenzo in third position grew with each of the twenty-one total laps.

Following the race, Márquez shared his enthusiasm for his new record as youngest MotoGP winner, an impressive crown previously held by American Freddie Spencer in 1983. When asked about his thoughts on today's race, Márquez said:

After taking my first podium in Qatar I was very happy, but I am even more so today after my first win! It went better than I expected and I am very grateful to the team for their efforts over the preseason; we have worked very hard and, without this, the victory would not have been possible. The race was very intense and physical, as I followed Dani for many laps and then decided to launch an attack and try to open a gap with ten laps to go. I could not pull the gap I wanted as some problems emerged that we’d experienced throughout the weekend. Despite all this, we were able to take the victory. The 25 points are important, but what is more important is to have achieved a win in my second race in MotoGP. We realise that more difficult circuits lie ahead for us, but we will try to give 100% at all of them. Our battle is not the one for the championship, but rather taking it race-by-race and enjoying every moment.

Today's race was not only a great event overall but will likely help propel Márquez into the spotlight for the remainder of the year. Earning a podium finish in his first event at Qatar and then a win here in Austin, Márquez has solidified his position as a serious fighter who is willing to take risks and challenge the many more experienced riders on the track. With 16 races left in the season there remain many challenges for the young rider, but this notch in his belt is one that will is remembered forever.

Pedrosa Fastest in Practice Three

Repsol Honda's Dani Pedrosa during Friday's practice session at Circuit of The Americas (Image by Keith Rizzo, COTA)

// Free Practice Three

The MotoGP grid returned to the track for a third practice session this morning with Repsol Honda’s Dani Pedrosa shaving over a second from his previous practice time (2'05.585) and setting the pace for the session (2'04.408). Following behind were Marquez (2'04.795), Lorenzo (2'05.295) and Crutchlow. (2'05.630) The riders will continue their preparations for the qualifying session later this afternoon.

Pedrosa’s teammate Marc Marquez took second position in the practice session following a crash on the entrance to Turn 19 early in the session. The MotoGP rookie for the Repsol Honda team lost the rear end of his bike while beginning the lead into to the penultimate corner, causing him to tumble over the top of his bike, land on his side and slide across the run-off into the gravel. Marquez recovered quickly and returned to the track, holding the top time for the session until the final few minutes when he was eclipsed by his teammate.

Marquez’s spill echoes what many Formula 1 drivers experienced in November: the off-camber geometry of Turn 19 creates difficulty in setting up for the turn-in. Like the first practice sessions of F1 at COTA, many riders in MotoGP are struggling to maintain balance after exiting the wide sweeping right turns of 16-18 and properly setup Turn 19, causing many to overshoot and be forced to sacrifice grip or their line into Turn 20. A deceptively simple turn, this will cause problems for many riders, so keep an eye on how they continue to develop their skills in the last sector of the track; it could make the difference in tomorrow’s race.

// Official Standings

Here’s the full line-up following FP3 this morning (Lukas Pesek and Mike Barnes fell outside of 107%): 

1. Dani Pedrosa
2. Marc Marquez
3. Jorge Lorenzo
4. Cal Crutchlow
5. Stefan Bradl
6. Andrea Dovizioso
7. Valentino Rossi
8. Alvaro Bautista
9. Nicky Hayden
10. Ben Spies
11. Aleix Espargaro
12. Bradley Smith
13. Andrea Iannone
14. Randy de Puniet
15. Yonny Hernandez
16. Karel Abraham
17. Danilo Petrucci
18. Hector Barbera
19. Claudio Corti
20. Hiroshi Aoyama
21. Colin Edwards
22. Michael Laverty
23. Bryan Staring
24. Blake Young

MotoGP Primer

 Repsol Honda's Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa pilot Circuit of The Americas (photo by Keith Rizzo, Courtesy of COTA)

// MotoGP

This weekend, Austin will play host to the MotoGP World Championship, a two-wheeled series that brings the top technology in motorcycle racing to the heart of the Lone Star State. The race, an intense combination of speed and gravity defying track action, is the second race following the season opening event in Qatar.

MotoGP, touted as the world's oldest form of world championship racing, is considered by fans, media and riders around the world as the pinnacle of two-wheeled sports. Riders race in some of the most exotic and exclusive tracks in the world on top of the most advanced prototype racing machines in excess of 200mph. 

Like Formula 1, the extreme speed and intense competition between teams and riders has created a culture of glamour and exclusivity. The 18 racing events are held in 12 countries on five continents, and carry with them global sponsorship deals as some of the most reputable brands in the motorsport world such as Bridgestone, Shell, Ducati, Honda, and Yamaha, propel riders to the coveted championship win.

For the 2013 season, there are 24 riders representing 10 countries around the world. Unlike their four-wheeled grand prix counterparts, there are three riders in MotoGP from the USA (Nicky Hayden, Ben Spies and Colin Edwards) and two of which are native Texans (Spies and Edwards). The 2012 MotoGP championship was awarded to Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jorge Lorenzo, his second title, with Repsol Honda Racing Team's Dani Pedrosa and Casey Stoner following in second and third positions, respectively.

There are 12 teams competing in the 2013 season with a mix of chassis and engine suppliers in three informal categories, Factory, Factory-Supported and CRT. Factory teams such as Ducati, Yamaha and Honda are fully operated and supported by the manufacturer. Factory supported teams and CRT teams however can differ in their level of support from the manufacturer, with CRT teams such as Pramac and LCR Honda being operated completely privately with leased bikes from the manufacturer.

This weekend's Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas is the second event in the calendar for the 2013 MotoGP season and the first motorcycle race to be held at the new Austin circuit. A full schedule of this weekend's event can be downloaded here, along with a track map here and overview of this weekend's event from the MotoGP site.

Tickets are sold by Circuit of The Americas:

Fans interested in attending the MotoGP race on Sunday, April 21, may purchase general admission tickets for the price of $59 per person. Children ages 12 and under receive free general admission tickets when accompanied by a ticketed adult. Sunday-only general admission tickets can be purchased on race day, April 21, at the Circuit’s Grand Plaza ticket office. Three-day general admission tickets are still available for $89 per person. College students and military personnel can purchase three-day general admission tickets for $49 per person with a valid student or military ID.  Three-day reserved seats start at $133 per person.

To get you pumped up, here's a Red Bull promo video showcasing the arrival of MotoGP to Austin:

MotoGP Pre-Season Tests at COTA: Repsol Honda Team

Circuit of The Americas is hosting Repsol Honda Team’s Dani Pedrosa and Marc Marquez today for MotoGP pre-season testing in Austin. Also in attendance are Yamaha Factory Racing Team’s Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi, Stefan Bradl for LCR Honda MotoGP and Blake Young for Attack Performance CRT. 

This three day test gives riders a chance to test out the 3.4 mile circuit in advance of the Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas, set for April 19-21, 2013 at Circuit of The Americas. (Click here for tickets.)

After the first session, in which Marquez posted the fastest lap time at 2:08.651 and completed 12 laps, he said most importantly the track is quite flat; he didn't feel many bumps which is quite important for the bike. In the second session, Marquez completed 22 laps with the best time of 2:07.046.

 Marc Marquez, No. 93 with Repsol Honda Team

Dani Pedrosa also completed 12 laps in the first session with a best lap time of 2:11.445. He noted that sixth gear going into a straight is more like second or third gear. Similar to the first day of practice during F1 in November, the track wasn't "quite grippy" in the morning, and he noted it was "a little bit twisty at some points." Pedrosa completed 22 laps in the second session with a best lap time of 2:07.284, just 0.238 behind teammate Marquez.

Dani Pedrosa, No. 26 with Repsol Honda TeamNext we'll take a closer look at Yamaha Factory Racing Team and see how Lorenzo and Rossi are taking to the track. Follow along with us as we continue to post photos, videos and more throughout the day.

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