MotoGP Grand Prix of Americas 2018: Race Schedule, Live Stream and Top Riders
The third race of the 2018 MotoGP calendar will take place when the Grand Prix of the Americas gets under way Sunday in Austin, Texas.
Englishman Cal Crutchlow will hope to build on his shock win in last month's Grand Prix of Argentina. The Coventry native triumphed in an error-strewn race but will find it hard to beat Marc Marquez, who has crossed the line first in this race for the last five years.
Valentino Rossi also figures to be in the mix on the Circuit of the Americas.
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Date: Sunday, April 22
Warm-Ups: 2:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. BST. 9:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. ET.
Race Start Time: 8 p.m. BST. 3 p.m. ET.
Live Stream: BT Sport App. beIN Sports CONNECT.
Practice races take place on Friday from 2:45 p.m. to 10:15 p.m. BST/9:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. ET, while qualifying happens on Saturday from 6 p.m. to 10:15 p.m. BST/1 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. ET, per BT Sport.
Marquez is the rider to watch, but the Spaniard will be under the spotlight for different reasons after his stormy clash with Rossi at the Autodromo Termas de Rio Hondo.
The pair crashed together when Marquez collided with Rossi's Yamaha bike. Marquez has since apologised by text message, according to Diario Gol (h/t Alex Wood of the Daily Star).
Rossi was initially reluctant to let Marquez make amends. A fiery rivalry has been brewing between the two, but FIM president Vito Ippolito recently preached calm to Corriere dello Sport (h/t GPone.com's Heather Watson).
If sparks fly early, Marquez and Rossi could again be distracted enough to leave room for another surprise winner. It's how Crutchlow was able to profit in Argentina.
At 32, Crutchlow has enough experience after eight seasons to ride another smart race. His measured approach last time was applauded by Richard Williams of the Guardian:
"His performance on the Rio Hondo circuit, in tricky conditions requiring the highest level of feel and intelligence, was that of a rider who has grown out of the years when he always seemed to be having something to prove."
As the leader in the early Championship standings, Crutchlow will enter this race with confidence, so he can expect to again be one of the riders involved in the final reckoning.
While Crutchlow is buoyant, Maverick Vinales has bad memories of Austin, Texas. He crashed early in last year's race, a setback that was the start of a lengthy losing run.
Yet the Yamaha man has the ability to transform his fortunes this year, especially if team-mate Rossi is too focused on Marquez.
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