#AmericasGP: Pecco Bagnaia triumphs in Austin
Pecco Bagnaia triumphs in Austin, Iván Ortolá showing progress in Moto2.
The Grand Prix of the Americas at the Circuit of the Americas delivered a weekend full of excitement, with Suomy riders from both MotoGP and Moto2 taking center stage in thrilling races.
In MotoGP, Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia claimed his first victory of the season, while in Moto2, Iván Ortolá showed positive signs of growth, finishing the race with an excellent sixth place.
SPRINT RACE
Saturday’s Sprint Race was a strong performance for Pecco Bagnaia, our Suomy Rider. Francesco fought intensely, securing a podium finish with third place. Starting from sixth position, Bagnaia demonstrated determination and skill, making his way up the ranks and maintaining a competitive pace throughout the race. However, his choice to use a soft rear tire slightly penalized him due to excessive wear.
RACE
Sunday’s race was marked by variable weather conditions, with light rain making the track tricky. Pecco Bagnaia made the most of these conditions, staying calm and focused. After a solid start, he positioned himself right behind the championship leader, who was also leading the race at the time. On the ninth lap, a crash by his teammate opened the way for Bagnaia, who took the lead and managed the race until the checkered flag. This significant victory boosts his championship hopes and gives him renewed confidence.
MOTO2
In Moto2, Iván Ortolá, our Suomy Rider, faced a challenging race in the Texas rain. Starting from ninth position, Ortolá maintained a steady pace, avoiding mistakes and seizing every opportunity that arose. He finished in sixth place, improving on his previous performances and collecting valuable championship points. This result highlights his growth and potential for even better outcomes in the upcoming races. Go Iván!
“I got a good start and once I saw I was on the inside, I gave it a go and it went well. I’m happy about it, but I still need to work on my performance in the opening laps, because I got a 1.5secs gap from Alex (Márquez) in the early laps and that was too much. I was then able to lap with a similar pace to theirs, but I still need something more at the start in order to have a chance to battle for the win. We’re still working on bridging the gap and we’re making some progress. Tomorrow’s race is going to be a long one and I don’t think we’ll use the soft tyre as it wore out a lot today. We’ll do our best and we’ll try to battle with them.”
Francesco Bagnaia (#63 Ducati Lenovo Team) – Sprint Race 3th
“I’m really happy; it’s special to be back on the top step of the podium after what hasn’t been an easy period. I knew I had to wait because the feeling wasn’t ideal, but we started the weekend well, continuing on the path of improvements made in Argentina. It’s clear that Marc was also fast today, but the conditions were at the limit, and the curbs were really slippery, especially the one at turn five, and I had already noticed it during the warm-up lap. After his crash, I just tried to pull away, and it wasn’t easy because Alex (Márquez) had a strong pace. Winning is what keeps you going, especially when you miss that feeling after experiencing it. It’s fantastic.”
Francesco Bagnaia (#63 Ducati Lenovo Team) – Race 1th
World Standings P. 3
Next Round:
QATAR GP
Lusail International Circuit
April 11-13th
Click the button below to find out all the images of the #SuomyCrew during the weekend in America.