Like a Beast!
AUSTIN WOULD ALWAYS be the ultimate test of the weird and wonderful start to this year’s MotoGP season. If the Circuit of the Americas as infamous for its predictability over the years could throw up a surprise, then this year’s title race really is wide open.
COTA duly obliged as Enea Bastianini (Gresini Ducati) showed his early season success in Qatar was no fluke. On a weekend in which the silly season rumour mill went into overdrive, here was his reminder for the watching factory bosses.
Around a track that has routinely served up dull racing in the premier class, the MotoGP event was a cracker in keeping with recent events. That was partly due to a “technical issue” for Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) – the man who won seven of the previous eight encounters here – off the line. In yet another injury comeback, the 29-year-old fought back from last to claim a gallant sixth.
But not even the man known as the King of COTA was the star here. Bastianini retook the championship lead courtesy of his most assured grand prix performance to date. Not much fazes the 23-year old; his crash out
