Two-time winner
In the end, what a way to celebrate 500 GPs at the COTA as Bastianini is now a two-time MotoGP winner in 2022 FIM MotoGP World Championship.
The Italian takes charge of the 2022 title race as we now head to the all-important European leg of the season - Portimao's rollercoaster is up next on April 24. Bring it on!
Other headlines
There were many other story lines in Texas on Sunday at the COTA . As The Beast won #GP500, Rins made some Suzuki history and Miller took his first rostrum of the season while Marquez stole the show by finishing sixth after being 24th at one stage.
Behind the fight for the win, was the almighty comeback ride from the Repsol Honda Team's six-time MotoGP world champion, for whom COTA has always been a happy hunting ground.
Rins does Suzuki proud
Rins was an absolute demon on brakes into Turn 11 and the Spaniard picked off in Lap 9.
Rins' success brought up a magical 500 podiums for the Hamamatsu factory in the 500th GP for Dorna, IRTA, FIM and MSMA.
Over to Portugal
What a way to celebrate 500 GPs of racing together, with Bastianini putting on a show to remember at the COTA. The Beast is back on top and in winning race #GP500, joins Cal Crutchlow (400th), Casey Stoner (300th), Valentino Rossi (200th), Kenny Roberts Jr (100th) and Mick Doohan, the first winner of the era back in 1992, with a nice little milestone.
Now the stunning Autodromo Internacional do Algarve awaits, with a very different looking FIM World Championship table to the one on MotoGP's last visit. What will the rollercoaster bring? Find out in two weeks time!