MotoGP of the Americas: Beware the rookie Marquez

20Apr 2013

MotoGP

A first ever trip to Texas for MotoGP is sure to level the playing field and we could see the youngest winner in the sport's history. Trent Burton takes a look at Saturday night's race.

The MotoGP circus' arrival at the brand new Circuit of Americas in Texas hasn't been without controversy but one look at the track and it's hard to be disappointed the bikes have made it here.

Whilst the Valentino Rossi-Marc Marquez duel at round one stole most of the headlines, the story that got lost was Jorge Lorenzo's complete domination of the race in Qatar. It was as clinical a victory as you'll ever see but he's a long way from having things go a similar fashion in Austin.

The circuit is new to all but five riders this weekend. Lorenzo, Rossi, Marquez, Dani Pedrosa and Stefan Bradl tested here in the winter so it's not surprising to see them at the top of the sheets after two practice sessions.

Marquez led the tests here and the rookie finished Friday half a second clear of the field again. The times can be a little misleading at a new track as everyone finds their groove learning the circuit and then laying enough rubber down for the grip levels to be sufficient.

Still, the conditions are the same for everyone and with a level playing field, where no-one else has years of track knowledge over the young Spaniard, he's shown his undeniable class. To watch him in practice here has been an awe inspiring thing. As everyone else has felt their way around he's gone out and attacked the place at full tilt from the off. He's a 2.42 favourite on the exchange to win at just his second attempt. If he does so he'll be youngest MotoGP winner in history and you'd be a brave man or woman to bet against him.

The Hondas clearly have the edge here as Pedrosa and Bradl followed Marquez. The difference being whereas they had a few quick laps, Marquez had a whole bunch. Both Pedrosa and Bradl have had the same grip issues that Marquez has complained off but seem a lot more troubled by them. Pedrosa rather matter of factly described the day as 'not very good' despite posting the second quickest time.

You have to feel for Dani. He gets rid of Casey Stoner next door and up rocks Marquez. He'll bridge the gap today one would imagine in time and the exchange which has him a 3.8 second favourite. But it really does feel like Marquez's weekend.

Bradl on the other hand, at 4.5, is a great value bet for a career first podium in the Top 3 market. He was in the hunt in Qatar before crashing and he did well here in testing as well. He'll have to fight off the two Yamahas of Lorenzo and Rossi though which will be no mean feat.

On paper, the flowing nature of much of this circuit looks like one that should suit the Yamahas but they've not been able to get their heads around it as yet. Rossi seems more happy than Lorenzo, presumably because anything is better to him than being anywhere on a Ducati, but podium anything odds-against is far too short for mine and the 10.0 for the win much more reflective of where he's at.

Lorenzo, clearly not happy on Friday, will pick away at it and will be there come Sunday as he always is. If anyone is to take it to the Repsol Hondas it will be Lorenzo and I think his 4.0 for a win is a little too long. If Marquez crumbles under the pressure in the race, Lorenzo should be the one applying it and be ready to pick up the pieces.

The Circuit of the Americas is a gorgeous looking track and looks to have a number of great overtaking opportunities. If Marquez doesn't 'do a Lorenzo' on Sunday night we should be in for a cracker.