Austin MotoGP: Bagnaia: We can be very competitive, but Marc will be fastest

Following back-to-back MotoGP wins in Arag🧸on and Misano, there’s no doubt Francesco Bagnaia starts the American grand prix weekend as a firm favourite to make it three victories from threඣe.
The Italian’s stunning effort to hold off Fabio Quartararo in Misano came after a t♓itan🅰ic battle with Marc Marquez in Aragon the week before, a race that was arguably the best of the season so far.
Asked if he’s confident of repeating the succ꧅ess of the last two rounds, Bagnaia added: "A lot because it’s a track I like a lot. I’m always happy to come h𒐪ere to America.
"I think🐭 that our bike will suit very well on this track. I won the last two races and my feeling with the bike ha💛s grown a lot.
"I know that it’s not an easy track. The firs♔t sector for us was not easy in past years. 2018 I was feeling not so great with the bike and the movements of the bike with the bumps.
"But, maybe this year with the new🍎 resurface it will be a bit better. I think Yamaha will be faܫst, but Honda with Marc [Marquez] will be fastest."
While Bagnaia sees Marquez as the clear favour💫ite, the man he needs to beat is champ👍ionship leader Quartararo - something he’s done the last two races.
For that to happen tho😼ugh, ꦑbeing strong in previous weak spots for Ducati such as the twisty sector one at COTA could play a vital role.
"Our bike suits ജbetter in all conditions and situations at all tracks, So, this first sector is very similar to the Silverstone oneﷺ, maybe a bit more difficult but similar," said Bagnaia.
"We were fast there and I think we can be very competitive here. We need a chance to stay in front so we need to be competitiv🗹e."