2017 Austin GP – Maverick Vinales won the first two races of the year, Qatar and Argentina. Now the MotoGP riders are in Austin, USA, where Marc Marquez has always won. Four times. In the fight for the podium, there are certainly also Rossi, Cruthlow, Dovizioso, Pedrosa and Lorenzo.
Surprised by the demoniac Viñales in the first practice session, Marc Marquez has the best time on the Texas track. In the USA, the 2016 MotoGP world champion appears to be unbeatable and, despite a debut undecided in the first races, he is still the favorite for the 2017 MotoGP title. Behind the Honda pilot, there’s a Yamaha. No Maverick, but Johann Zarco with Hervé Poncharal’s Tech 3. The Frenchman confirmed to be the best rookie of the season. However, Maverick Vinales is third and Valentino Rossi is fourth. Both very close to the Spanish rider. Jorge Lorenzo is only 11th after the 2017 Austin GP FP2.
Valentino Rossi is 4th
Vale is fourth and it might seem almost embarrassing if we weren’t accustomed to traditional “slow” departures of the Doctor, during the free practices. “The start was still very good,” said Maio Meregalli, Yamaha Sporting Director. “Maverick had begun with the soft then switched to those a bit harder. Rossi has done the opposite. But for sure, compared to last season we made some great strides.”
2017 Austin GP: Maverick Vinales for the Hat-trick
Maverick Vinales is pleased with his work. “I’ll run well in almost all areas and going very strong in the quarter and also in the first.” said the pilot of the Movistar Yamaha. “Today I worked on the race turning with the same tire. Last year, it was hard to keep a good pace and I am happy to have done well with the same tire and good level.”
Jorge Lorenzo looks at the sky
Jorge Lorenzo is 11th. The Ducati rider would not have access to the Q2 because of Andrea Iannone is 10th. But Jorge is still protagonist of a good session with different sensations than those experienced in Argentina. After the session, in fact, Lorenzo seemed not too worried since his time, even if the unknown weather could penalize him excessively. “The place is not good but the feeling improved as well as how they go into the curve is improved. The track is very bumpy. So, we must work to adapt the bike to this asphalt to find stability.”
Marc Marquez is the Favorite
Marc Marquez’s first and in Austin he has always won. The Spaniard has good feelings for some days. “We come here with the mentality better. I feel strong on this bike. We should certainly improve a lot. But I feel good. It’s time to change. Already the first podium would be good. We have changed a lot and we think adjustments will arrive soon at Yamaha’s level.”
