Bastianini pounces late on for COTA MotoGP win, Marquez stages stunning comeback

Enea Bastianini becomes the first double MotoGP winner of 2022, while Marc Marquez stages a breathtaking comeback after dropping down to last off the start.

Robert Jones

10 Apr 2022

Enea Bastianini, Grand Prix of the Americas, 9 April

Bastianini’s second MotoGP win also sees him regain the championship lead from Aleix Espargaro.

Leading off a Ducati quintet, Jorge Martin made a great start but it was Jack Miller who led into turn one.

Further back and it was a disaster for seven-time COTA winner Marc Marquez as the Repsol Honda rider got a dreadful launch and was last before arriving at turn one.

Marquez fought back immediately to claim seven places on the same lap, however, challenging for victory was all-but over.

At the front, Martin attempted to take the lead back at turn 19, but Miller, who knew the importance of leading due to tyre temperatures going up significantly when following another rider, fought straight back at the final corner.

Marco Bezzecchi suffered an early retirement after crashing in sector three. The Italian remounted but was forced to stop as smoke was coming out of his Mooney VR46 Ducati.

Marc Marquez produces stunning comeback following start drama

Marc Marquez, Grand Prix of the Americas race, 10 April

Marquez watch: the eight-time world champion went from 17th up to 14th on the next two laps.

Struggling to get through on the five leading Ducati’s, MotoGP world champion Fabio Quartararo was overtaken at turn 12 by Alex Rins.

As Quartararo began to struggle, Mir made his way past the Yamaha rider. Further ahead and Rins made light work of Bagnaia for fifth.

Marquez’s stunning comeback continued with 15 laps to go as he went through on Maverick Vinales, Brad Binder and Takaaki Nakagami.

Next up on his hit list was team-mate Pol Espargaro for P10.

Marquez took less than a lap to get ahead of Espargaro after making a lovely move on the brakes at turn 12.

The 2022 Austin Grand Prix was starting to look a lot like Jerez 2020 as Marquez was the fastest rider on-track.

Marquez then suffered a huge moment over the bumps at turn ten, but luckily he remained aboard his RC213V.

With 11 laps to go, Marquez went half a second faster than the nine riders ahead of him, while Rins was making really solid progress at the front.

After getting through on Bagnaia, the Suzuki rider got past Zarco at turn 13 before taking a lunge on Bastianini at turn 11. The Italian used his incredible top speed to blast back past Rins.

Quickly becoming the favourite corner for overtaking, Marquez took P9 away from last weekend’s Argentina MotoGP winner Espargaro.

With nine laps to go Marquez came across the line to set a new fastest lap. With Marquez not right behind him, Quartararo was getting eager to get ahead of a struggling Zarco.

Marquez then set a new all-time race lap record even though it wasn’t enough to take the victory. On the next lap around, the six-time premier class champion was through on Quartararo at turn 12.

Not to be outdone by Marquez’ comeback, Bastianini then took the all-time race lap record away as he closed in rapidly on Miller for the lead.

Turn 12 the scene of Bastianini's winning move!

As the final five laps began, Miller was beginning to miss several apex’s before Bastianini made him pay at turn 12.

Enea Bastianini, Grand Prix of the Americas race, 10 April

Behind the leading duo, Marquez made a stunning move on Martin at turn one before Quartararo followed him through.

Marquez then started to lose grip which allowed Quartararo to have several efforts at getting back ahead, however, Marquez held on for a brilliant sixth place.

At the front, Bastianini pulled the pin immediately as Miller came under pressure from Rins.

After trying to get through at turn 10, Rins finally made the move stick at turn 19 on the final lap.