Rain hits the COTA, causing indecision on tire choice: disaster for those who chose slicks.
The weather in Texas played a nasty trick on Manu Gonzalez and five other riders, who, like him, underestimated the light rain at the start. Despite the dry straight, the rest of the circuit was unmanageable with slick tires. This wrong decision by the leader favored British rider Dixon, who secured his second win of the season, extending his lead in the rider standings.
Tony Arbolino delivered an outstanding performance (2nd), while Celestino Vietti lost 4th place just two laps from the end after a crash. Completing the podium was Alonso Lopez, who placed between the two Italians.
Race Highlights
THE START – Dixon takes off immediately, followed by Baltus and Lopez. Arbolino moves up to 4th position, while the other Italian rider advances from 18th to 10th. A dramatic start for Agius, Arenas, Moreira, Roberts, Gonzalez, and Salac, who chose slicks despite the rain, taking 20 seconds longer than the others to complete the first lap.
Holgado and Vietti gradually gained positions, moving into 6th and 7th, respectively. Just 6 laps in, the riders with slick tires started to be lapped: a completely wrong choice for them, with Salac abandoning and heading back to the pits, while Gonzalez lost the lead in the standings.
With just four laps to go, Öncü crashes, and after setting the fastest lap, Vietti also ends up in the gravel.
Photo: Jake Dixon
