Valentino Rossi hoped to leaveAustin with, at least, a podium. But it is at the foot of it that he will have finished with the first overseas campaign of this MotoGP season which will now begin its European period. A new phase, like a new beginning, which the Doctor awaits with interest, because last year the deadline marked the beginning of the decline of Iwata's firm...
This will therefore be the moment of truth for the officials in tune. Last year, they arrived confident after three first Grands Prix marked by victories and podiums. This time, the results are less rosy, but the prospects are still promising: “ I'm happy to ride my motorcycle again » comments Vale. “ The 2018 version of the M1 reminds me of the previous versions I used to have. I have more confidence in the front tire. I can ride faster and I feel more comfortable in fast curves. I think we are becoming more and more competitive. Now, it is a question of knowing what our level will be when we arrive in Europe. Everything can change there ».
On his Texan race, he declared: “ this race in Austin didn't go so bad, even if it was less good than hoped. I thought I could be faster after my results in FP2 and on Saturday. I thought I could fight for the podium. But the temperatures rose and I didn't feel the stiff front tire as it should. I was quickly at the limit, especially in the fast corners. So I had to adapt by slowing down to stay as close to Iannone as possible to play for third place. ».
We know that it was the Suzuki rider who had the last word. Red is now seventh in the championship with 29 points, 17 behind the leader Dovizioso. His journey is summed up by a podium in Qatar, a retirement in Argentina and therefore, this fourth place in Austin.
Austin MotoGP J.3: Ranking
| 1 | 93 | Marc Márquez | Honda | 41'52.002 |
| 2 | 25 | Maverick VIÑALES | Yamaha | +3.560 |
| 3 | 29 | Andrea Iannone | Suzuki | +6.704 |
| 4 | 46 | Valentino ROSSI | Yamaha | +9.587 |
| 5 | 4 | Andrea Dovizioso | Ducati | +13.570 |
| 6 | 5 | johann zarco | Yamaha | +14.231 |
| 7 | 26 | Dani PEDROSA | Honda | +18.201 |
| 8 | 53 | Tito RABAT | Ducati | +28.537 |
| 9 | 43 | Jack Miller | Ducati | +28.671 |
| 10 | 41 | Aleix Espargaro | Aprilia | +28.875 |
| 11 | 99 | Jorge Lorenzo | Ducati | +31.355 |
| 12 | 9 | Danilo PETRUCCI | Ducati | +34.993 |
| 13 | 44 | Pol Espargaró | KTM | +37.264 |
| 14 | 30 | Takaaki NAKAGAMI | Honda | +39.335 |
| 15 | 19 | Alvaro BAUTISTA | Ducati | +40.887 |
| 16 | 38 | Bradley SMITH | KTM | +48.475 |
| 17 | 45 | Scott REDDING | Aprilia | +49.995 |
| 18 | 12 | Thomas LUTHI | Honda | +51.115 |
| 19 | 35 | Cal Crutchlow | Honda | +59.055 |
| 20 | 10 | Xavier SIMEON | Ducati | +59.747 |
| 21 | 21 | Frank MORBIDELLI | Honda | + 1'00.513 |
| Not Classified | ||||
| 42 | Alex Rins | Suzuki | 10 lapses | |
| 55 | Hafiz Syahrin | Yamaha | 12 lapses | |
| 17 | Karel ABRAHAM | Ducati | 12 lapses |
