Grand Prix of the Americas 2025: MotoGP experts predict winner, how to watch and more as Marc Marquez chases eighth COTA win

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MotoGP returns to action at the Circuit of the Americas where Marc Marquez will be looking to make it three in a row and eight victories at the track.

Marquez has enjoyed a great start to the season with Ducati and carries a 16-point lead from Alex Marquez, having taken both victories in Argentina and Thailand.

The Spaniard crashed out while leading the race last year after making a mistake at Turn 11, enabling Maverick Vinales to come through to take victory.

Marquez will be looking for redemption to reclaim his ‘King of COTA’ crown, while the other riders will want to break his win streak. Honda is the most successful team at COTA with seven victories.

How to watch MotoGP Grand Prix of the Americas on TV?

Fans can watch the Grand Prix of the Americas on TV, with those in the UK being able to watch on pay-per-view channel TNT Sports.

Which rider will take pole position for the 2025 Grand Prix of the Americas?

David Comerford: Maybe in Qatar the answer will finally be different, but blind optimism is the only argument Marc Marquez this weekend. He’s fiendishly good in Austin and it seems Bagnaia’s side of the garage are already viewing this as a damage limitation exercise. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Marquez stretch out the respectable single-lap margin he’s enjoyed in the opening two rounds.

Who will finish on the podium at the Grand Prix of the Americas?

Shay Rogers: Marc Marquez, Alex Marquez, Marco Bezzecchi – The first two races of the season were almost carbon copies of each other. Marc sat behind Alex until he was able to overtake and sail into the distance late on. The Grand Prix of the Americas was won on six consecutive attempts by Marc between 2013 and 2018 and now he has a dominant bike to enjoy.

In other words, anyone predicting an outcome which doesn’t have him on the top step might as well be hoping for pigs to fly. Alex could challenge him for victory now he has built some confidence, and I would be inclined to back him if it was anywhere but COTA, but his time will come soon. Another second-place would be excellent for his position in the championship regardless.

Finally, Aprilia seem to run somewhat well in Austin and Marco Bezzecchi is aware that the team is desperate for a boost. It’s his turn to take the pressure off his own shoulders with a good result, and what better way to avenge a first lap retirement in Argentina with a spray of champagne in Texas?

Who is the rider to watch at the Grand Prix of the Americas?

Tyler Rowlinson: Ai Ogura – The Circuit of the Americas has been a good hunting ground for Aprilia in the past – Maverick Vinales claimed the only non-Ducati win here in 2024. This season, Ogura has been the standout rider.

The 24-year-old has displayed excellent performance in the opening two races, with his disqualification in Argentina putting a dampener on what was another decent weekend.

COTA has typically been a strong track for Ogura in the past, finishing in the points at every event he has competed there. He finished second in 2022 in his Moto2 days.

The Trackhouse rider has proven he can mix with the Ducatis on his RS-GP25 and could do the same at the Americas GP and maybe challenge for a top-five finish.

Which rider will be the biggest disappointment in COTA?

Kyle Archer: Gresini star Alex Marquez has started the 2025 MotoGP season in superb form with second-place finishes behind Marc Marquez of Ducati in both the Sprint and main races in Thailand and Argentina. But his form could find a bump at the Grand Prix of the Americas.

Marquez could prove to be the biggest disappointment at the Americas GP as the Circuit of the Americas has seldom been a happy hunting ground for the Spaniard over all three world championship classes. Over 11 visits to COTA, he has only claimed three top-five finishes yet.

Each of Marquez’s top-five results at COTA also came in Moto2, including his sole podium at an Americas GP so far with P2 in 2018. He is even yet to end an Americas GP higher than P12 in MotoGP, including coming P15 in 2024 when just 16 riders would take the chequered flag.

What may help the 28-year-old deliver a better result at this year’s Americas GP is that Alex was faster than Marc Marquez in Argentina’s left-handed Turn 6. The Gresini star might have to hope that was a positive omen given COTA has 11 left-hand turns to nine right-handers.