*Spoiler* MotoGP Round 3 - Circuit of the Americas - Austin, TX, USA 3/27 - 3/29/26

[budman]

I am going to be 100% honest in saying that MM ruined COTA for me. He and his HRC Honda just killed it and after 5 trips to Austin I said fug it. I had enough. He got 6 in a row by the way and the first was a record victory as the youngest GP Rider to win.. ever.

Alex Rins took the win in 2019 to break Marc's run. Covid took the pole and win in 2020 and then.. guess who. Marc again in 2021 for his 7th Cowboy hat.

The Beast took the honors for HRC in 2022 and Rins took his LCR Honda to the victory in '23. 8 of 10 for Honda at that point.

Then in '24 an Aprilia won when Topgun did the deed.


Last year Marc was on the march to a possible 8th COTA win when he went boom. Pecco won the race... remember Pecco?? I think COTA will be a chance for him to get serious and we may have the all-out Ducati vs Aprilia war on American soil!

This year I should be going because it is going to be pretty good I bet!!!





Danny made it at least entertaining one year.


Aprilia is going to have something to say at the '26 Edition of the Horsepower Rodeo. Both their boys are in top form and Bez is looking to win every GP this year!

Austin is a fun town and COTA is pretty good to watch the racing, but you need some good walking shoes!!

If you are not familiar with the Circuit of the Americas THIS will bring you up to speed.

If any barfers are heading out enjoy!!!!!!!!! It is a damn good time.

Choose a Sprint winner and the GP winner. So tempting just to put Marc in the poll 18 times and then Bez and Jorge.

 

[Jaxter]

Good test of Aprilia's comeback will be at COTA where the rear tire construction goes back to "normal". Extra stiff tire carcasses in Thailand and Brazil (due to excessive heat) prolly helped Aprilia's rear grip over others say some. It's going to be hot again this week in Austin, let's see how much of a margin Marc can win by!

 

[budman]

I am hoping our boy Joe Roberts can catch some wind in his sails this weekend.

I assume Hopper is still helping him out.

Last weekend the janitor was at my office while I was watching the GP. He was shocked at two things.
1. 215 mph. Holy fook!!!!
2. The soccer star waving the checkered flag

He watched a solid 15 minutes or so asking questions. Since I LOVE it I did not mind a bit.

 

[peterhively]

Stoked also for the first round of MotoAmerica Talent Cup, and MotoGP World Baggers!

 

[budman]

Some Texas vibes from CYCLE NEWS

Stuff we know, stuff I have said, but also some throw back info and what lays ahead for Liberty Group and the GP's here in the USA. Worth the 4 minute read.

 

[budman]

VR46 unveils striking US MotoGP livery on New York skyscraper

Fabio di Giannantonio and Franco Morbidelli unveil this special US MotoGP livery in New York.

www.crash.net

Pop art?? I suppose.

 

[budman]

Free Vid.

Bezzecchi braced for Marquez test: He has more wins here than I do in my career!

Chasing more history, the Italian is aware of the challenge ahead of him as he pursues five consecutive victories and a unique MotoGP record - though he actually holds one more career win than the #93's COTA total!

www.motogp.com

 

[budman]

Local time is 2 hours ahead of us.

 

[budman]

Grand Prix Gear Up!

 

[bluegixxer600]

This seems like a good place to post this-

APRILIA RACING PRESENTS THE APRILIA X 250TH | Aprilia EN

THE LIMITED EDITION BIKE FROM THE NOALE-BASED RACING DEPARTMENT TO CELEBRATE 250 YEARS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA’S DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

www.aprilia.com

 

[budman]

Holy Shit!!
Pretty sweet looking bike. I love that the Italians had to get their colors in there.




First practice done. A couple guys went to a soft tire.. shows in the results.


Nothing too serious to read into it yet, but some things.
Pedro P1 - Binder P-16? Other KTM guys in between. Hmmm.
Digi looking good too.
Two TrackHouse boys in the top 10. Coolio.
Mark went boom in T10 (wicked ass turn!). Walked it off.

212mph top speed. KTM and Ducati both hit that.
A Honda in the top 10. Marini. I expected Zarco to be the fastest. We will see.
No Yamaha's.... did not expect one. Let's see where that goes.

 

[budman]

Well some things don't change.

Marc still owns COTA.


Ogura for sure impressive!! Digi rocking again is good to see.
Bez and Jorge solid. Pedro joined by the Beast as KTM gets two directly to Q2.
Marini... fast all day Mir just missed out on 10th.
Bagnaia.. deep sigh of relief I am sure.


Great to see Joe in the top 10.!

 

[Ridley]

That Aprilia is beautiful and I too noticed the Italian colors on the disk cover/aero doo-dadder.

The moto3 kids are a touch faster than the two wheeled pigs, I mean Harleys.

 

[budman]

That Aprilia is beautiful and I too noticed the Italian colors on the disk cover/aero doo-dadder.

The moto3 kids are a touch faster than the two wheeled pigs, I mean Harleys.

Only 9 Hogs and our fast guys are not in it. Interesting though.

 

[Jaxter]

Mir stayed on 2 wheels...today. Bastianini made Q2 (previous COTA winner with Gresini)...along with an interesting mix of riders. Lots of crashes/fallers in Practice, seems almost everyone was down at some point. Very warm today in Austin. Didn't take to many pics today, other than at the HandBuilt Show, which is now at COTA, instead of downtown as previously...and some Michelin Star BBQ...

 

[budman]

Nice.

At least one builder had my kind of common sense.

 

[budman]

GP boys out practicing.

Qualifying should be good. Race at 1pm our time.

 

[budman]

The way the weekend is going all riders who finish the GP will be in the points. That would mean 6 DNF's because Mav is already a DNS.

Let's do some qualifying.

Prediction: Two Honda's thru to Q2.

 

[budman]

Well Zzzzzarco did not deliver, but Aldeguer did and actually beat out Mir. Super 'Injured' Rook with a solid showing.

 

[budman]

Digi!