From Austin, Texas, Aprilia and Maverick Vinales send an important message to Ducati and Pecco Bagnaia: this year the World Championship is more open than ever. Vinales and the Noale team win the Sprint race in the GP of the Americas and will start on pole for the Grand Prix.
But above all they impressed with their gap compared to their opponents: record in qualifying and a Sprint race dominated from the first lap. Furthermore, Vinales had already won the Sprint race in Portugal, missing out on winning the GP race only due to mechanical trouble.
For its part, however, the official Ducati appeared to be in a bit of difficulty on the US circuit: the reigning world champion Bagnaia, after a disastrous start which relegated him to tenth from sixth place, was unable to go beyond the 'eighth place; while his teammate Enea Bastianini finished sixth. Furthermore, the Gresini and Pramac teams seem to have found the right setup for their riders, at least as regards the Sprint races: in the States Marc Marquez finished second, Jorge Martin was third. Behind them a surprising Pedro Acosta, debutant in the category, with the Ktm Gas Gas. While waiting for Sunday's race, in any case this year's world championship certainly appears more open than the last two editions, dominated by Pecco Bagnaia with his Ducati.
The Aprilias seem increasingly closer to the Borgo Panigale bikes, also thanks to a super Vinales. But Marc Marquez, who already appeared at ease on the Ducati in these first races, and Pedro Acosta, debuting in the category, are also ready to have their say. Marco Bezzecchi is unable to return to last year's levels: the Italian of the Vr46 Ducati is nervous. On the grid he will also start with the 10th fastest time due to a crash in qualifying. Then there is Jorge Martin who has a great desire to do and win but perhaps this aggressive attitude is partly penalizing him. All bets and confirmations that will only take place during the race.