AUSTIN, TEXAS was always going to be the scene of an epic MotoGP redemption story. But rather than Marc Marquez (Gresini Ducati), unbeatable at this venue on seven of his last nine visits, returning to winning ways after an extended period in the doldrums, it was another Catalan who provided a career comeback for the ages.
The third round of 2024 confounded all expectations by producing the race of the year so far around a track renowned for dull racing. Marquez proved fallible at one of his best tracks, crashing out of the lead 11 laps in. And Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) pieced together his finest ever weekend in MotoGP, recovering from 11th at the first corner for a first feature race victory in 1113 days.
It took 12 laps for Viñales to join an epic victory fight that included Marquez, Jorge Martin
