Texas MotoGP: Marquez wins, Dovi on the podium, Cal injured in dramatic Texas race

Marc Marquez has stormed to victory with ease at the Circuit of the Americas, in a race where he was overshadowed by the action taking place behind him, as drama unfolded across the grid; the reigning world champion rode a flawless race to the win.

The first drama of the race happened before the flag even dropped, with a huge jump start for Jorge Lorenzo sending the double champion into the pits for a ride through penalty at the end of the opening lap and leaving him to claw his way through to take an excellent tenth place.

Dani Pedrosa was second, having chased down his Repsol Honda teammate all race long but unable to reign in the gap; he ended what was a boring race for him 4 seconds behind Marquez and 16 ahead of the battle for third.

But the battle for third saw some of the most remarkable events of the season so far. Andrea Iannone was the early occupier of the spot on the satellite Pramac Ducati, fending off Valentino Rossi early in the race until the Movistar Yamaha rider dropped back.

Iannone was then a victim of a hard charging pack of Andrea Dovizioso and Stefan Bradl, soon joined by Bradley Smith after him and teammate Pol Espargaro disposed of Rossi, by then suffering seriously from front tyre problems.

However, with Smith and Bradl tangling for fourth, Dovizioso was able to make a break and take a podium that would have been unbelievable on the Ducati only 12 months ago.

However, there was less luck for Dovi’s  Ducati teammate Cal Crutchlow. Having suffered early in the race with chatter, he pitted for new tyres but rejoining the field crashed heavily, tangling with the bike and ending the race in the medical centre with a suspected broken hand.

Scott Redding also didn’t make it to the flag, crashing out with what he believes was a suspect tyre, after battling most of the race for spot of top privateer Honda with Nicky Hayden. Michael Laverty was unlucky to miss out on the points in 16th, while PBM teammate Broc Parkes retired with electrical problems.