US GP Winners & Losers by Motopinion
Winners
Texas always seems to be a GP where teams will display special liveries. Normally these are yet another tedious different variation of the stars and stripes US national flag. This year, Italian designer Aldo Drudi, in collaboration with VR46, showed them all how its done. Their ‘pop art’ styled design was superb. Refreshingly different, bold, beautiful and very Valentino. Well done VR46, I loved it.
Biggest winner was, of course, Marco Bezzechi. The Italian took his 5th consecutive victory, set a new record for leading consecutive laps, and looks well on his way to being the one to beat for this years title.
Equally impressive, and possibly now Bezzechi’s main challenger, was his Aprilia team-mate Jorge Martin who took his first victory for the Italian manufacturer in Saturday’s Sprint race. A fit and confident Martin must now be considered a real threat as the series moves to Europe next month.
A big shout out too for VR46 rider Fabio DiGiannantonio. Consistently the top Ducati rider throughout the weekend and possibly deprived of a Sprint win by another ‘over ambitious’ overtaking manoeuvre by Marc Marquez on turn 11.
Toprak Razgatioglu knows his realistic target this year is to beat his fellow Yamaha riders and in the GP, he did exactly that in only his third race. What could we possibly be seeing if the mercurial Turk was on a competitive machine?
There were also signs this weekend that Ai Ogura could become the most successful Japanese rider in the modern era of MotoGP, after another impressive performance on his Aprilia. Expect him to be the next first time winner this season, possibly in a Sprint.
Losers
For me, Enea Bastianini’s third place in the Sprint only goes to prove why he is the most frustrating rider in the field. He was owhere in the first two rounds, then pops up with a podium in Texas. Renowned for, and by his own admission, only ‘waking up’ half way through a race or only performing when everything feels right seems somewhat unprofessional for a full time competitor in any sport.
It seems wrong to criticise Marc Marquez after his amazing achievements during his MotoGP career, but he does have a major weakness which is occasionally displayed, and it was evident again in Texas. He sometimes appears to be unaware of his own limitations, be it from machine or his own physical disadvantages. The move, and inevitable crash, he made on Diggia was irresponsible and ill considered and possibly partly motivated by ‘red mist’ after just being passed by the Italian. Certainly he showed appropriate remorse and admitted he deserved a penalty, but for me, his positivity and self belief often shows disrespect for his fellow competitors. As in this case. Sorry Marc, but you’re good enough to be better.
After three rounds, the all conquering Ducati must now admit that their fellow Italian, and considerably smaller manufacturer in Aprilia, have a better 2026 machine. Only having one bike in six possible podiums in Texas would have been inconceivable to the Bologna giant at the start of the season.
Thumbs down to Pecco this week for his comments after being passed by Marco Bezzechi in the Sprint, smiling and calling him a 'F%*king Bastard' in the presentation interview. He should know better.
