Spaniard Alex Rins (Suzuki), 2nd on the line, and Australian Jack Miller (Ducati) complete the podium in Texas, where six-time MotoGP champion Marc Marquez (Honda) and defending champion Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha) offered a good duel, to finish 6th and 7th.

Joan Mir (Suzuki) and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati) finished off the podium, 4th and 5th.

The Ducati-Pramac of Jorge Martin (8th), who started from pole position, and Johann Zarco (9th) as well as the Aprilia of Maverick Vinales follow in the top 10.

In the world championship, Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia), 11th on Sunday, leaves the place of leader to Bastianini.

The 24-year-old Italian, winner in Qatar in March of his first race in the elite, is now 5 points ahead of Rins and 11 over Espargaro.

Mir and Quartararo are 4th and 5th, at 15 and 17 points.

"The objective was to preserve the tires but also the body", on this circuit with exhausting changes in relief and direction, explained Bastianini at a press conference.

Italian rider Enea Bastianini, riding his Ducati-Gresini, during his victory in the MotoGP Grand Prix of Qatar, March 6, 2022 at the Lusail International Circuit KARIM JAAFAR AFP / Archives

For the Gresini team and its leader Nadia Padovani, widow of former boss Fausto Gresini killed by Covid-19 in 2021, the dream continues.

First patient in 2nd place behind Miller, Bastianini "understood that we had to give more when Alex (Rins) tried to overtake me several times".

Suzuki's 500th podium

In the game of pure speed in the long straight of the Circuit of the Americas, Bastianini won.

On the 16th lap, he surprised the helpless Australian, who even left 2nd place to Rins at the very last corner.

"I'm mixed, I had a fantastic race, Enea passed me but I didn't make any mistakes," recounted Miller, who led for 15 laps after overtaking, from the first corner, the poleman Jorge Martin.

Australian driver Jack Miller, riding his Ducati-Lenovo, during qualifying for the MotoGP Grand Prix of the Americas, April 9, 2022 in Austin (Texas) Mirco Lazzari gp GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

Rins dedicated his 2nd place "to Ukraine, and to all the people who suffer", from the war and "also from the Covid".

On the sporting field, he applauded his manufacturer's improvements: "It's going a bit better than last year, we've improved our engine, so on the straights we don't struggle as much as before, even if we have to further improve the aerodynamics".

It offers Suzuki the 500th podium in its history, all world categories combined.

Marquez-Quartararo, mano a mano

The show was also provided by Marquez.

The six-time champion in the queen category, back after a violent fall and two missed Grands Prix, completely missed the start from 9th place.

Downgraded last, he gradually climbed back up, sounding the charge like few other drivers know how to do.

After a few well-placed shots, notably on Aleix Espargaro, he offered himself Quartararo in the 14th lap.

Without being able to go back further, pressed by the Frenchman who never left him.

Spaniard Marc Marquez, riding his Repsol-Honda, battles with Frenchman Fabio Quartararo, riding his Yamaha, during the MotoGP Grand Prix of Valencia, on November 17, 2019 in Cheste, near Valencia PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU AFP/Archives

The 29-year-old Spaniard, winner seven times here in Austin in nine editions since MotoGP stopped there (2013), explained Thursday that he first wanted to "rebuild confidence" after his last injury to date (concussion and problem double vision).

He gains two places in the general classification, to 13th place, but can already be happy to have finished the race, which could have ended on the 4th lap after uncontrolled braking, or to 8th after a few strong rebounds on persistent bumps. of the Texas track.

For Quartararo, after a frustrating 8th place in Argentina, this 7th place has a different flavor: "We still had a good race."

"I had a lot of fun, we fought well, even if it was for 6th place, I enjoyed this battle (with Marquez) (...) more than some victories", he said. he argued.

Marquez-Quartararo, premonitory duel for the title?

"I think Marc will be a contender for the title, and I will give my all to be a contender, we will have other similar situations for better positions," assured the Frenchman.

© 2022 AFP