Young Movistar Yamaha rider Maverick Viñales was one of the favorites to finally end Marc Márquez’s 100 percent win rate at Circuit of the Americas going in to this race, qualifying second just behind Márquez. Unfortunately, the Maverick named for a Top Gun character just crashed out on lap two.
Viñales simply ran wide and lost the rear of his bike at the Turn 16-18 complex, sending him sliding off the track.
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There goes that plan.
Before this, Viñales had won both of the season’s first races. He won’t continue that streak of domination today.