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 in Austin - Thursday Recap

From L-R: Steve Sexton, Ben Spies, Marc Márquez, Jorge Lorenzo, Cal Crutchlow and Lin Jarvis

Tthe MotoGP weekend at Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas kicked off on Thursday with a somewhat eventful day including a fire in the paddock, a pre-event press conference and a track ride with a few riders and a handful of lucky media in sporty BMW X-5s.

// Garage Fire

Early Friday morning a small fire broke out inside the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 garage, which houses riders Cal Crutchlow and Bradley Smith's bikes, gear and tons of team equipment. The fire was ignited by one of the electric starters used to start the Team’s Yamaha YZR-M1 but quickly extinguished by COTA's sprinkler system. The fire itself was small and contained, but the water from the sprinklers affected neighboring teams. Yamaha Motor Racing’s Managing Director Lin Jarvis commented in the press conference:

When we arrived here today we heard there had been a fire incident, and that the Yamaha garages, Abraham’s team, and LCR were under water. But if we hadn’t been here at this excellent facility [with fire protection], we could have lost six bikes! There was no damage to any people or the bikes, but computers, servers and spare parts have been flooded. We can race this weekend, but have to take everything to pieces and dry each part, to ensure we have no corrosion issues in the future. But it’s always tougher with electronic parts, as issues are not visible.

Kudos to COTA and the local Austin Fire Departments for responding quickly and ensuring this fire didn't do more damage then it did.

// Press Conference

In attendance at the Pre-Event Press Conference on Thursday were (pictured above) COTA President Steve Sexton, Ignite Pramac Racing's Ben Spies, Repsol Honda Team's Marc Márquez, Yamaha Factory Racing's Jorge Lorenzo, Monster Yamaha Tech 3's Cal Crutchlow and Yamaha Motor Racing's Managing Director, Lin Jarvis.

Overall the riders shared the general sentiment that they are looking forward to racing on the new circuit. Two of the five riders that tested on it last month, Márquez and Lorenzo, had split feelings that they had an advantage but that their peers would quickly adapt. Lorenzo thought that three or four testings would be enough for other riders to understand the track but that a crucial aspect of it, Turn 1, is difficult because of its elevation change. He said it is "one of the biggest corners I've ever seen." Márquez said Friday will be for learning; the first day "most of the riders will struggle a little bit, but by 30 or 40 laps they will know the track."

Crutchlow and Spies had a chance to ride the circuit on street bikes before Thursday. Crutchlow said that it's difficult against the five guys that tested at COTA last month (Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo, Marc Márquez, Dani Pedrosa and Stefan Bradl) but that they'll have to be patient. He added, "there are a lot of blind corners and it will take some time to learn." Spies was asked if he feels like an unofficial Ambassador for Circuit of The Americas, since he resides less than four hours north of the circuit in Dallas, and shared his excitement for having a world class facility in Texas to call home. Spies commented:

I never would have thought that this facility would be in Texas. I'm happy to be one of two Texans here, I'm happy to help [serve as ambassador] if need be. But these world class events are great for Texas.

Ben also noted that it would not be the same to be racing in Texas without MotoGP World Champion and local Texan, Kevin Schwantz, in attendance. Due to ongoing litigation with COTA and Dorna, Kevin has confirmed he will not be in attendance at the MotoGP race this weekend.

// Track Ride

American riders Nicky Hayden and Colin Edwards took to the track late Thursday afternoon to show the main tricks of the new circuit to Spanish rider Luis Salom and German riders Sandro Cortese and Jonas Folger. The small group rode scooters and were followed by media to capture the action on film. The riders stopped atop Turn 1, at the end of the esses at Turn 6, and at the COTA Tower to analyze the circuit from 251 feet above. Be sure to check out the Official MotoGP YouTube page, where the action will be shared in their post-race webisode, After The Flag.

We'll have photos from the guys hanging out on track and up in the Tower, but until then, enjoy this awesome GoPro video of Honda Repsol riders Dani Pedrosa and Marc Márquez riding COTA back in March. 

GoPro: Repsol Honda Testing with Dani Pedrosa and Marc Marquez from GoPro on Vimeo.

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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