You would have to say the Repsol Honda riders start as favourites to win this weekend after they dominated the test. The Honda tends to suit tracks with long straights as well so it is all pointing their way, but I thought that before Qatar and Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi found the pace on the day.
Marquez is in real contention to take his first win at just 20 years of age. He has been downplaying his chances but even he will know he could be right up there. Do not forget he is still learning how to ride a MotoGP bike but he is in contention.
If he wins a race before the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on 1 September then he will become the youngest winner in premier class history, beating Freddie Spencer’s record of 20 years and 196 days.
That would be a phenomenal achievement – but one he is well capable of.
Dani Pedrosa got off to a slow start in Qatar, and that is what cost him the title last season so he needs to sort that out. He is already 12 points behind Lorenzo and he cannot let him get too far away.
It has been gorgeous weather in Texas all week but I have heard we may have a shower or two on race day. Wherever we have been in the last year or so there has been rain, and that would shake things up even more.
Steve’s Austin predictions:
1. Marc Marquez, 2. Jorge Lorenzo, 3. Dani Pedrosa
Steve Parrish was talking to BBC Sport’s Tom Rostance
