Three weeks after their collision and fall in Portugal, the Italian Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati) and the Spaniard Marc Marquez (Ducati-Gresini) will be eagerly awaited this weekend in Austin (Texas) during the MotoGP Grand Prix of the Americas .
The reigning double world champion, who lost his lead in the standings after a disappointing weekend in the Algarve (fourth in the sprint and retirement during the Grand Prix), must react on a demanding track where he had dominated last year. last qualifying, the sprint and where he was in the lead of the GP before falling alone.
Riding the best bike in the field, Bagnaia will start favorite but will have many serious opponents, starting with Marc Marquez, the six-time MotoGP world champion. The Catalan, who arrived this season at Gresini, one of Ducati's satellite teams, after 11 seasons in the premier category with Honda, has found pleasure again since riding a Desmosedici.
Seven times winner at the Circuit of the Americas, the last in 2021, Marquez will aim for his first success with Ducati to reach the symbolic figure of 60 successes in MotoGP. His compatriot Jorge Martin (Ducati-Pramac), leader of the world championship after his success in Portugal, will try to continue his momentum to consolidate his first place from Saturday during the sprint, of which he is the undisputed specialist with 10 successes in 22 races since their appearance last year.
The qualifications can be followed this Saturday from 5:50 p.m. on Canal+. The sprint race will start at 10 p.m., still on Canal+. Finally, the Grand Prix of the Americas will start at 9 p.m. this Sunday, April 14. The race can be followed live on Canal+.