Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) looked set to duel Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) for the win at the Circuit of the Americas, but the 2013 Moto3™ World Champion slid out of contention early in the race to register his first 0 since Argentina 2016.
Having won the first two races, the rider from Roses was ahead in the Championship - with that honour now passing to teammate Valentino Rossi. But next up is Jerez, a home race for Viñales and a good chance to start clawing back his six point deficit to the top - aiming to come back strong.
Maverick Viñales, DNF: “It was a really strange crash. I did exactly the same as in Warm Up and all weekend, but I crashed. I think we had some issues with the front tyre, but anyway, we know that we are strong and that we have the speed. We can be strong again, so I‘m going to try to forget this crash and come to Jerez even faster, stronger and more consistent than I was here."
Viñales has gone down! It won't be the dream hat-trick for #MV25!#RiderOK #AmericasGP pic.twitter.com/KucjbdWjm3
— MotoGP™ (@MotoGP) 23 April 2017