As I write up this post, I’m flying out to Austin for one of my favorite weekends of the year – MotoGP at Circuit of the Americas! I’ll also have some quality time at the Handbuilt Show but unlike the last couple of years I won’t be riding the track the day after the GP race with Aprilia Racers Days. Let’s take a look at what to expect – and I hope to see you guys and gals there!
Last year there was a surprise (at least to me) winner – Maverick Vinales. I was lucky enough to be in his pit with the factory Aprilia Racing team as he crossed the finish line and it was a wonderful memory:
This year CotA is the third race of the season and we’re in danger of traveling back in time again to when it was the Marc Marquez show for several years – he won each round in Austin between 2013-2018 and then again in 2021. Both him and his brother have been dominating the season so far (which is why I happen to have both on my fantasy team, and you should do that with me).
I’m also excited about Ai Ogura, the MotoGP rookie who’s having an impressive bit of success to start his career. He wowed everyone (and gave me flashbacks to Pedro Acosta’s debut last year) with a 5th place finish in the first race of the season, and he’s doing it with a satellite Aprilia. There were a lot of questions and some people complaining that Trackhouse didn’t go with Joe Roberts with their American connection but I’d say that Ai has silenced his potential detractors, at least for now. (He may be on my fantasy team as well). Trackhouse also caught some eyes in the first two races of the season as they were rocking a Gulf livery, but that licensing deal is over so they’ll be using something different for Austin.
Photo courtesy Trackhouse Racing
The last big thing I want to mention for now is that event will be the debut of the new MotoAmerica Talent Cup with the Kramer 350s!
Here’s some fun facts for you:
– This is the 12th running of MotoGP at Circuit of the Americas
– If Marc Marquez wins in the top three, it will be his 114th MotoGP podium – this would equal Jorge Lorenzo in second place on the all time list.
– Ducati is currently running a streak of 82 consecutive races with a rider starting in the front row (first three places).
– If Ducati wins, it will be their 20th in a row. The last manufacturer to pull off a similar feat was Honda, they got 22 in a row from Malaysia in 1997 to the Netherlands in 1998.
– If Marc Marquez wins, he’ll be the first rider to win the first three races of the season since…he did it himself in 2014, and that year he won the first 10 races!
– You already know three of the four guys on my fantasy team. The final one is Fermin Aldeguer (another rookie). He will be 19 years and 359 days old on race day and while it seems highly unlikely, if he wins he would become the youngest MotoGP race winner (Marc Marquez currently owns that record at 20 years and 63 days old thanks to his win at Austin in 2013).
This year I have my press pass as usual and I’ll spend most of my time in the paddock area trying to see old friends and making new ones. I also have the pleasure of spending time with a couple of teams – over at Iconic we sponsor Solomon “Solly” Mervis (who’s in the new MotoAmerica Talent Cup) and Cormac Buchanan (who’s racing in Moto 3). I’m particularly interested in the Talent Cup as I’m always excited about the future generations of motorcycle racing and they’re exclusively using a new Kramer 350. Depending on how things go, I’ll be looking to share some of the highs and lows of people who are competing in the new class with you over the next couple of days.
I’ll try not to do too many press conferences this year:
Will you be there? Leave a comment below so we can sync up (or email me directly: abhi@bike-urious.com)! Won’t be there? Let me know if there’s something specific you want me to track down if I can find the time.
Here’s hoping for another great weekend!