MotoGP moved to COTA, near the city of Austin, for the American home of the series since 2013 and the third round of the 2026 campaign. Across the long, breezy and sun-kissed Texas tarmac Red Bull KTM Factory Racing emerged with more podium distinction after 20 laps.
The weather pivoted again at the Circuit of the Americas from a cool and cloudy Saturday – where Red Bull KTM Tech3 and Enea Bastianini celebrated a podium classification in the Sprint – to sunshine and higher temperatures for Grand Prix race day. MotoGP lunged into the 13th event at the sprawling and technically demanding course southeast of Austin with three Red Bull KTM riders in action; Maverick Viñales had been forced to withdraw on Friday due to a problem with his left shoulder, requiring minor surgery this week.
The race started with Pedro Acosta on the front row, and the Spaniard aced the holeshot to lead on the first lap of his 100th GP appearance (made in all classes and since his first in 2021). He survived close contact onto the back straight then formed part of a three-rider posse going for the podium order. Pedro maintained his pace in P3 and crossed the line less than 4.5 seconds from the winner. The silverware represents his second of the year and his 12th in the premier class and keeps the 21-year-old 3rd in the championship standings.
Enea Bastianini moved up from 12th on the grid to enter the top ten after four laps. He then embarked on a sensational battle for the top five and manage to log 6th place for his best result since the 2025 Catalan GP last summer. Brad Binder had to make progress from a qualifying slot of P18. The South African quickly got into the points and finished 12th.
Round four of MotoGP will take place in Jerez for the Spanish Grand Prix in three weeks: the first European date on the schedule.
Brad Binder, 12th and 12th in the championship: “A really long race and I just couldn’t find any pace all weekend. I had chatter at the beginning and became more and more, especially on full lean. I wasn’t expecting that. Two 12th places is nowhere near good enough. We have some serious homework to do to be better for Jerez.”
