MotoGP heads to Austin, Texas, for the running of the 2021 Grand Prix of the Americas. Austin’s Circuit of the Americas is the course. Qualifying begins October 1, and the race itself will be run on Sunday, October 3. Let’s take a look at some of the top racing stars who will join in the action, as you consider your MotoGP betting choices for the weekend.
MotoGP News: Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas Preview
Circuit of the Americas is a 20-turn road course that runs 3.41 miles and has three fairly long straight sections. Right out of the gate, racers go up a steep hill into a tight left turn — and then the riders have to turn right quickly after coming out of that corner, and the course goes back downhill. Then come three turns that form a series of esses, as riders turn left, then right, then left again. The sixth turn is a long right-hand turn at a more gradual curve, and then a tight left-hand turn follows. Riders will do well to keep a centered line coming out of this turn to have solid position into a sweeping right-hand turn — followed by another fast turn to the left.
The tenth turn is really more of a quick jump into a straightaway, and savvy riders will use this area to get good position for a passing zone. Then riders head into a hairpin left-hand turn that resembles the race’s first turn, but without the elevation change. Next comes a long straightaway. After that comes a sharp left-hand turn where riders can take a tumble if they accelerate too hard, because the surface there does not have a lot of grip. Then comes a short chute, followed by a pair of tight right turns. A sharp left-hand turn follows, and riders either need to take it wide or tight, depending on the arc they want. Three right-hand turns, all sweeping, follow, giving the feel of a carousel. The course finishes with two left-hand turns, one forgiving and wide, and the other sharp enough to require braking, but riders will be looking for a launch point to accelerate into the frontstretch, pushing hard toward the finish.
Fabio Quartararo has 234 points to lead the world MotoGP standings, as the post-Marc Marquez era appears to be heading in his direction in this sport. He is the favorite for a reason.
Francesco Bagnaia took the runner-up slot at the Austrian Grand Prix, just behind Brad Binder. He is close enough to Quartararo in the world rankings to make him a definite contender as well.
Marc Marquez has returned to the sport after a lengthy layoff after a crash, but he won this race six times in a row, from 2013 to 2018. He has not dominated the sport like he did before his setback, but his prior form here makes him a wise betting pick.
Alex Rins won the last edition of this race, back in 2019 (with the 2020 race canceled due to COVID-19), and he finished in third in the world championship rankings a year ago. This time around, he can give Marquez a hard race.
