Racing on the Edge: A Recap of the MotoGP Race at the Circuit of the Americas
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Racing on the Edge: A Recap of the MotoGP Race at the Circuit of the Americas

The MotoGP season entered its third race of the season at the Circuit of the Americas for the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas on the weekend of April 12 through April 14.


The MotoGP weekend is divided into three categories: Moto3, Moto2 and MotoGP. On Friday, all three categories have practice so the drivers can get a feel for what the track will be like for the upcoming race. Practice sessions last a total of 35 minutes, during which each rider tries to accomplish the fastest time. 


In the Moto3 series, David Alonso from the CFMOTO Aspar Team topped the first practice charts with a time of two minutes and 16 seconds, and he is currently second in the overall championship standings. In the second practice session, Alonso beat his previous time with a time of two minutes and 14 seconds. 


Qualifying sessions work differently in Moto3 than most motorsports. There are two qualifying sessions which are determined by the combined times from the practices. In the first qualifying session, Adrian Fernandez from Leopard Racing came out on top followed by Jacob Roulstone from Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 and completing the podium was Joel Esteban from CFMOTO Aspar Team. In the second qualifying session, the remaining riders competed which resulted in Alonso starting in first for the race.


The Moto-3 race is the shortest of all three categories with the race only lasting 14 laps, yet it was quite action packed. During the first lap on turn 15, riders Iván Ortolá and Stefano Nepa were involved in an incident but neither one sustained any injuries. In the end, it was Alonso who claimed victory after 14 laps.


In the Moto-2 series, Red Bull KTM Ajo rider Celestino Vietti finished first in the first qualifying session of the weekend and Arón Canent from Fantic Racing finished first in the second qualifying session to claim his spot in the starting position for the race. The Moto-2 series is the second longest race lasting 16 laps around the Circuit of the Americas. After 16 clean laps, it was Sergio García from MT Helmets-MSI who claimed the victory, following him was none other than Joe Roberts for OnlyFans American Racing Team.


To finish off the weekend was the regular MotoGP series. Starting in first was Maverick Viñales from the Aprilia Racing Team after qualifying for the starting position in the second session and winning the sprint race before it was time for the main race. The MotoGP race is the longest of the weekend with 20 laps being completed on the 3.41-mile racetrack. With only 10 laps left, it seemed like race leader Marc Márquez was set to take it all until he crashed out in turn 11. This allowed for Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 rider Pedro Acosta to take over as race leader. However, Viñales was able to reclaim his position as race leader and ultimately win the race. 


The next MotoGP race will be happening this weekend April 26-28 at the Gran Premio Estrella Galicia 0,0 de España in Spain. 


Edited by: Kendall Merriett

Social Content Created by: Callista Carreiro

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