MotoGP hits Argentina this weekend for Termas de R...

MotoGP 2025

Spherical Two – Argentina – Termas de Rio Hondo – Preview

After a profitable season-opening spherical on the Grand Prix of Thailand, full with record-breaking attendance figures, a brand new occasion awaits us this week on the opposite facet of the globe! For the primary time since 2023, MotoGP returns to Termas de Río Hondo for the Gran Premio YPF Energía de Argentina for the second spherical of the 2025 MotoGP World Championship.

Since its debut on the MotoGP calendar in 2014, the 4.8 km format of 14 corners (9 proper and 5 left) has beforehand hosted MotoGP eight occasions.  The ten earlier occasions had been in Buenos Aires, the final of which was in 1999. The primary GP in Argentina befell in 1961 in Buenos Aires. It was the primary GP staged outdoors Europe. Not all of the riders attended the inaugural 1961 occasion and the 52-lap (203 km) 500 cc race was gained by house rider Jorge Kissling (Matchless), from fellow countryman Juan Carlos Salatino (Norton).

Termas de Rio Hondo was absent from the calendar in 2020 and 2021 following the COVID-19 pandemic, the Grand Prix of Argentina returned for an additional two editions in 2022 and 2023, earlier than being cancelled in 2024. Marco Bezzecchi is the final rider to have gained in Termas, in 2023. Marc Marquez has gained right here thrice; 2014, 2016 and 2019.

The Termas de Río Hondo Circuit is positioned 6km from town which supplies the venue its title, within the Province of Santiago del Estero. The circuit was formally inaugurated in 2008 through the go to of Argentina´s Touring Automotive Racing championship. In 2012, the reconditioning, enlargement and modernisation of the circuit started, with the aim of turning it into Latin America’s most trendy, protected and vibrant circuit. The observe hosted the third spherical of the 2014 MotoGP season, bringing Grand Prix motorbike racing again to Argentina after a 15 12 months absence. Then there was that infamous Rossi clash with Marc Marquez in 2015…

Following on from his profitable pre-season in manufacturing facility purple, Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Staff) leads the Championship standings for the primary time in 93 Grands Prix – virtually scripted, proper? Now, after his double in Buriram, he heads to the venue the place he was the primary winner and has since achieved a complete of three victories. Ducati’s manufacturing facility workforce have by no means gained right here and the producer solely has Marco Bezzecchi’s victory in 2023 to have a good time. Marc hasn’t been in Argentina since 2019, however on that day, he cleared off, beating Valentino Rossi house by virtually ten-seconds.

Present Lenovo Ducati team-mate Francesco Bagnaia has by no means had a podium in Argentina in any class however after a stable double podium in Buriram, anticipate him to be in competition once more this weekend and oh so desperate to attempt to reassert his place within the pecking order.

Nonetheless, a Marquez has led each lap of 2025 thus far, because of Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) taking up from his brother throughout Marc’s tactical opening Grand Prix. Alex took his first-ever Ducati podium at Termas in 2023 and was a powerful fifth within the Dash too, holding off Bagnaia.

For Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Staff), it actually was a surprising debut in Thailand, the very best maiden Grand Prix since Marc’s 2013 debut. The Japanese rookie has solely raced at Termas twice however the second time, he was on the rostrum in Moto2.

Ai Ogura

“It is going to be one other thrilling weekend. The circuit in Argentina is totally totally different from the observe in Thailand so it’s going to require one other sort of method in comparison with Buriram. I simply can’t wait to go to a different circuit with the MotoGP bike. The Autodromo Termas de Rio Hondo is a quick one, so it is going to be enjoyable to trip. I’m trying ahead to working along with the workforce once more – we’re nonetheless on the best way to enhance plenty of issues collectively. We simply have to start out Friday effectively and put together Saturday effectively and clearly Sunday with the primary race. I’m excited to get began and we’ll see what occurs there.”

Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Staff) heads to South America after a powerful opener to 2025, and he positioned fourth in each the GP and Dash in 2023 with Yamaha. Anticipate Morbidelli to characteristic on the entrance and proceed chasing podiums – particularly as he’s positive to get some further love from the Brazilian followers who will flock to the stands.

Franco Morbidelli

“We arrived at this second GP of the 12 months glad with the job finished in Thailand, personally it was certainly one of my finest races of final years. The workforce and I are working very well collectively, and we have to hold that momentum going. South America is wonderful and Termas is a spot that I like. I’m completely satisfied to be again after some years with out having the chance to race there. We are going to attempt to do the very best job we are able to and one of many key factors to enhance the ultimate end result will likely be to start out extra in entrance within the grid.”

A stable prime six at Buriram implies that Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) received his 2025 – and thus his Aprilia chapter – off to a superb begin. Bezz gained in Argentina in 2023 however the 12 months earlier than, it was Aprilia domination on the entrance, with Aleix Espargaro giving them a first-ever MotoGP win. Can the Noale manufacturing facility – paired with Bezzecchi’s superior type in Termas – make a severe mark on the rostrum or extra?

Fabio Di Giannantonio arrives in Argentina after every week of laborious work to get better from his left collarbone harm. In Termas Fabio’s objective is to achieve increasingly more confidence together with his new Ducati Desmosedici GP after the encouraging ends in Buriram.

Fabio Di Giannantonio

“I’m feeling significantly better now in comparison with once I went to Thailand. I’ve had just a few extra days to get better from the surgical procedure and begin performing some gentle coaching with my shoulder. The Argentina GP will certainly be difficult since I’m not but at 100%, however after the outcomes from the primary race, I’m actually excited to get again on the bike. I’m trying ahead to returning to Termas de Rio Hondo – it’s an incredible observe the place I’ve all the time loved racing. Our bike has nice potential, and the workforce and I are prepared to provide it our all.”

It was an encouraging opening spherical for 2023 Argentina Dash winner Brad Binder (Purple Bull KTM Manufacturing facility Racing) too, who recovered to a double eighth place end after having to work his means by means of from a fifth row begin in Thailand.

Staff-mate Pedro Acosta will likely be an fascinating watch too – he has a brand new problem for the weekend, having by no means ridden a MotoGP bike on the Argentinean venue.

One factor that’s clear is that each have made steps for 2025, with Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) already bettering Honda’s finest end result from 2024 with a P7 on the season opener. Staff-mate Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) had loads to be completely satisfied about together with his debut going easily too.

Recent off equalling his finest end result on the Honda RC213V after a powerful restoration trip in Thailand, Luca Marini is aiming to duplicate his velocity in Argentina and keep away from the small points he had within the opening spherical. Consistency has been key for Marini thus far this 12 months, specializing in gathering knowledge by means of laps and avoiding any expensive falls or errors. Marini has proven the tempo to struggle for prime Honda honours with each his team-mate Mir and Zarco, a transparent and achievable objective for the weekend. A small step in Qualifying might supply probably big positive factors for Marini within the ever-tightening MotoGP subject.

Luca Marini

“In Thailand we had been capable of accomplish an excellent weekend general, so now flying to Argentina I’m optimistic we are able to proceed on this means. I don’t suppose arriving there ‘for the primary’ on the Honda will likely be an issue, the workforce and I did plenty of work over the off season to get the bottom of the bike into a superb place so I do know that we are able to begin appropriately. In 2023 I achieved my first Dash podium in Argentina, and I hope that we are able to have a constructive weekend with the Honda HRC Castrol workforce. After Argentina, I’ll go to Brazil for the primary time to strive the brand new observe we’ll race at subsequent 12 months – an thrilling journey!”

Joan Mir confirmed his simple velocity and expertise all through testing and the Thai GP, an unlucky low-side in Sunday’s race that means his work went unrewarded. The Spaniard has taken the positives from the beginning of the 12 months and is raring to get again on his Honda HRC Castrol RC213V and ship on his and the bike’s potential. Argentina has traditionally handled Mir effectively, seventh place in Moto2 his worst end on the circuit.

Joan Mir

“I’m trying ahead to this race after what we confirmed final day out in Thailand. We’re able to rather a lot and it’s vital to get some factors on the board and ship. Argentina will likely be a special weekend to Thailand as a result of we arrive with out testing there however we usually have a really robust base, I believe that we could be aggressive from the beginning. Previously I’ve had some good ends in Argentina, so I believe the items are there to have a stable weekend and hold our season progressing.”

Over at Yamaha, there have been causes to smile regardless of not following by means of on their testing success. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Vitality Yamaha MotoGP) had a more durable Grand Prix however was spectacular within the Dash, taking P7 from tenth on the grid.

Staff-mate Alex Rins wasn’t capable of back-up Quartararo’s efficiency however is a double MotoGP podium finisher in Argentina. An entire new venue will likely be a complete different problem anyway, after we’ve seen a key distinction between their type in Sepang after which Buriram.

A key story for Yamaha in Thailand was Jack Miller’s (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) fourth place in qualifying and simply lacking the highest ten on Sunday, with loads of potential displayed and a smile on Jack’s face as he appears to be like in direction of the season forward. Argentina holds some good and unhealthy reminiscences for the Australian.

In 2018, when additionally in Pramac colors, Jack Miller took his maiden MotoGP pole in Argentina utilizing slicks on a drying observe, changing into the primary Impartial Ducati rider to take action.

When rain additionally hit simply earlier than the race begin that very same 12 months, 2018, Miller was the one one who stayed on the grid whereas others returned to the pits for a tyre change. He began from pole and the others had been allowed to start out from the again of the grid quite than pit-lane. It was an embarassment for MotoGP.  Jack went on to struggle for the rostrum with Zarco, Rins and Crutchlow earlier than ending fourth.

Present Prima Pramac Yamaha team-mate Miguel Oliveira was 14th in Thailand however with a Grand Prix finished, the entire workforce can have invaluable knowledge to study from and the Portuguese rider can have extra assured with the YZR-M1.

There’s loads of positives regardless of a tricky pre-season for Enea Bastianini (Purple Bull KTM Tech 3), who said that his energy of being quick on the finish of Grands Prix continues to be there; he got here by means of for a ninth place end in Thailand and was the second KTM on the flag. After coming house practically final within the Dash, that was a key increase because the Beast appears to be like to settle in on the RC16.

In the meantime, team-mate Maverick Viñales hopes that Termas – a circuit the place he’s gained at – can present him the possibility to show the tables again on Bastianini, having had the measure of him till the GP race itself.

Past High Gun and the Beast – a film mash up we’d like to see – rookie Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) bagged factors on his debut and can need much more at Termas, the place he took his first profession pole in Moto2.

For Raul Fernandez, this would be the fourth time he has raced in Argentina having made two appearances since becoming a member of the premier class and a debut look whereas nonetheless within the junior Moto3 class. Raul had a bruising begin to his 2025 marketing campaign after his large testing crash in Malaysia left him nursing a damaged hand and little toe however he bounced again to race competively within the opening spherical of the Championship in Thailand, solely to have his progress stopped after an overheating entrance tyre dropped him from competition in the primary Grand Prix.

Raul Fernandez

“Thailand was a superb race weekend for us. We didn’t get the end result that we wished, however we had a powerful weekend. General, I’m completely satisfied as a result of additionally for me it was the primary time that I made a long term with the brand new Aprilia. I really feel many constructive issues and I do know the bike higher now, which can be vital for me. The Autodromo Termas de Rio Hondo is a extremely good observe for Aprilia, they received their first victory there. It’s a circuit that I like and I wish to proceed our work from Thailand. I’ll attempt to do my finest, that is the goal and hopefully the climate will likely be good, however we’ll see. We’ll take it day-to-day and I’ll all the time give my most.”

Lorenzo Savadori will once more trip for Aprilia Racing, taking the place of injured reigning World Champion Jorge Martin as he continues to place within the mileage for the manufacturing facility to hone the 2025 RS-GP.

Whereas Thailand might need been in a pleasant time zone for Aussie followers of the game, South America will not be fairly so handy. The Dash Race will take locations at 0500 Sunday morning (AEDT), whereas the 25-lap Grand Prix will begin at 0500 Monday morning (AEDT).

MotoGP Championship Standings

Moto2

Buriram belonged to Manuel Gonazlez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP). The Spaniard dominated the opening Moto2 weekend of the season by taking pole and victory honours, laying down an early gauntlet to his rivals forward of a visit to Termas de Rio Hondo.

Aron Canet (Fantic Racing LINO SONEGO) was Gonzalez’s chief competitor in Thailand and having claimed his seventh podium in his final 9 races, the Spaniard would love nothing greater than to earn 25 factors at a circuit he’s tasted podium success at earlier than. One other second place – similar to he achieved again in 2018 in Argentina – or higher would go down properly for Canet, and an identical end result would do wonders for Buriram’s third place finisher too.

Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) was a standout performer in Thailand with a podium outcomes however Termas is a observe he’s but to tango with.

Tony Arbolino (BLUCRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2) salvaged a P13 final day out, so the Italian – plus Alonso Lopez (Staff HDR Heidrun) and Jake Dixon (ELF MarcVDS Racing Staff), our different two 2023 podium finishers – will likely be looking for extra when Moto2 hits Termas.

And whereas it’s not Brazil (but), Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Staff) can have loads of South American help because the Brazilian goals to climb onto the podium for the primary time this season after narrowly lacking out in Thailand.

Moto2 Championship Standings

Moto3

A victory by greater than seven-seconds in Moto3 is just about extraordinary, however Jose Antonio Rueda (Purple Bull KTM Ajo) managed to just do that in Thailand to rev his title tilt into life.

Termas is a spot Rueda has visited simply as soon as earlier than in 2023, nevertheless it’s yet one more than star rookie Alvaro Carpe. The second of the Purple Bull KTM Ajo machines confirmed expertise means candy nothing generally, as a debut podium got here knocking in Thailand. The identical once more in Argentina – one other observe he’s by no means raced on – would sign an unbelievable begin to life in Moto3.

Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) is one other rider who lacks expertise in Termas, however he will likely be assured he could be fast from the get go this weekend.

On the opposite facet of the coin, one rider who does boast a wealth of Termas expertise – and podium success – is Dennis Foggia (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Staff). After a promising return to the category, can the Italian add to his 2022 silver medal to his Argentina honours assortment?

Joel Kelso confirmed nice promise in Thailand, working inside the highest 5 within the observe classes earlier than getting shuffled all the way down to eighth in qualifying thanks to a couple last-gasp laps from some rivals. Within the race Joel’s finest lap was solely three-tenths off the quickest lap of the race. The Australian ran as excessive as third within the battle up entrance through the race earlier than happening on lap 16 and leaving Thailand empty handed.

Younger Kiwi Cormac Buchanan scored a Moto3 World Championship level on his full-time debut and will likely be trying so as to add to that tally in Argentina.

Jacob Roulstone will likely be on the sidelines once more for this spherical as he recovers from his pre-season neck harm however the Australian hopes to be on the grid at COTA later this month.

Moto3 Championship Standings

2025 MotoGP Calendar