Image: Supplied.

Enea Bastianini has confirmed that he’s a force to be reckoned with in the 2022 MotoGP World Championship, securing his second victory of the season at Circuit Of The Americas (COTA) as Tony Arbolino and Jaume Masia were on top in Moto2 and Moto3.

Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP) progressively made his way forward from qualifying in fifth, ultimately finishing two seconds clear of Team Suzuki Ecstar’s Alex Rins, who was closely followed by Australia’s Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) in third.

2020 MotoGP World champion Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) crossed the line fourth, enjoying a 2.1s buffer over Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) who was fifth. Returning Marc Marquez delivered a spectacular performance to recover from a challenging opening lap that saw him drop to the back to finish P6 on his return.

Indonesian GP winner Fabio Quartararo was seventh, edging pole-setter Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing) in eighth, as Pramac Racing’s Johann Zarco and Maverick Vinales (Aprilia Racing) completed the top 10. Notably, last round’s winner Aleix Espargaro finished P11.

Australian Remy Gardner (Tech3 KTM Factory Racing) was 20th, continuing to build experience onboard the RC16 in his debut MotoGP season.

Bastianini’s victory boosts him back to the top of the championship standings on 61, with Rins in second on 56 ahead of Aleix Espargaro in third on 50.

Image: Supplied.

Elf Marc VDS Racing Team’s Arbolino took a commanding 3.4s victory in Moto2 over Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia), as Jake Dixon (GasGas Aspar Team) secured his first Grand Prix Podium in third.

Championship leader Celestino Vietti crashed out in the early stages, as did Aron Canet who entered the round second in the points.

Further drama ensued, as Somkiat Chantra (Idemistu Honda Team Asia)  – round two winner – made contact with Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team), resulting in the Thai rider receiving a long lap penalty to be served at Portimao. Both riders did not finish the race.

Vietti now holds a 14 point lead over Ogura in the Moto2 World Championship standings, with Arbolino a further two points adrift in third.

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In Moto3, Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo) delivered at the right time to take victory ahead of points leader Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) and Andrea Migno (Rivacold Snipers Team).

Ayumu Sasaki (Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max Racing Team) missed the podium by less than a tenth in fourth, and Red Bull KTM Tech3’s Deniz Oncu completed the top five.

Australian Joel Kelso (CIP Green Power) crossed the line in P18.

Foggia leads Solunion GasGas Aspar Team’s Sergio Garcia -who crashed out at COTA – by 16 points in the Moto3 World Championship standings, as Andrea Migno is third 33 points from the lead.

Detailed results