AUSTIN, Texas — Amid a season of self-described struggling, Marc Marquez was all smiles as he returned to his profitable type in Texas.

The Repsol Honda rider dialed up his previous velocity for a dominant victory on the MotoGP Grand Prix of the Americas on Sunday, whereas championship chief Fabio Quartararo coasted to second and additional tightened his grip on a probable first profession title.

Marquez missed a lot of the 2020 season after an arm and shoulder harm within the first race, and he has struggled this 12 months to search out the mixture of velocity and delicate driving steadiness that gained him six profession championships.

The return to the Circuit of the Americas, which rewards the pure energy of the Honda engine, was simply what he wanted. His seventh win in eight races on the Texas observe earned Marquez his second victory and third podium end of this season. Marquez additionally acquired profession win No. 58.

“Immediately, everyone is pleased,” Marquez stated. “I get the win and Fabio is in second.”

Second is strictly what Quartararo deliberate for. Whereas he completed greater than 4 seconds behind Marquez, it was extra essential for the Yamaha rider’s title hopes that he keep away from any massive errors and end forward of Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia.

Quartararo got here to Texas with a 48-point lead over Bagnaia within the championship, and he stretched it to 52 heading into the ultimate three races as Bagnaia completed third. Quartararo can clinch the championship on the subsequent race in Italy on Oct. 24.

“It was the very best second place of my profession,” Quartararo stated. “It was nice to complete in entrance of him on this observe. I am actually proud of my consequence.”

Marquez began from the No. 3 spot — his first begin of the season from the entrance row of the grid — and shot previous Quartararo and Bagnaia so shortly he was within the lead by the point they had been driving into the primary flip. As soon as in entrance, Marquez was by no means challenged.

“The plan was executed: Be first to the primary nook,” he stated.

Together with his lead rising lap by lap, all Marquez needed to do was keep away from an unforced error just like the one which brought on his late crash right here in 2019 that denied him a victory. He acknowledged narrowly escaping the same mishap Sunday.

“It was on my thoughts, I attempted to be very cautious,” Marquez stated. “With three laps to go, I nearly crashed. … This season has been very arduous and unusual. I must hold working, hold pushing. The particular feeling continues to be not there on the bike.”

The race was a quiet one for Quartararo, who appeared pleased to observe Marquez drive off within the distance as he settled in for a experience that protected his championship lead. Bagnaia, who had gained the 2 earlier races from pole place, began there once more however dropped as little as sixth within the early going and by no means threatened to overhaul Quartararo.

“Fabio this 12 months has completed an awesome job,” Bagnaia stated.