Grand Prix of the Americas: Fourth straight win for Marquez in Austin

Lorenzo finishes third; nine-time world champion Rossi crashes out

LOS ANGELES: Marc Marquez extended his reign in the MotoGP Grand Prix of the Americas on Sunday, piloting his Honda to victory in Austin, Texas, for the fourth straight year.

Marquez, fresh off a win in Argentina, won in 43min 57.945sec, with Yamaha rival Jorge Lorenzo second 6.107sec behind and Italian Ducati rider Andrea Iannone third 10.947sec back.





Two-time world champion Marquez also strengthened his hold on the top spot in the overall standings while nine-time world champ Valentino Rossi, who came into the race eight points behind Marquez, crashed out on his Yamaha.

With his second win of the 19-race season, Marquez preserved a perfect record on US soil after starting first on the grid.



“Of course I’m happy with this advantage that we have,” said Marquez. “OK, it’s only the third race, but we already have 21 points so this is really important for me and the team.”

Another Spaniard, the reigning world champion Lorenzo, who like Yamaha teammate Rossi has struggled on the track tucked into the hills outside the Texas capital, roared off the start line to seize the lead going into turn one.

But he went wide exiting the turn, allowing pole-sitter Marquez to move in front, and Ducati rider Andrea Dovizioso powered into second on the back straight as Spain’s Aleix Espargaro moved into fourth on his Ducati. 

Published in The Express Tribune, April 12^th,  2016.

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