The excitement is palpable as the Argentina Grand Prix makes its return to the MotoGP calendar this season, with Termas de Rio Honda set to host the second round of the championship this weekend. After a year’s absence, fans and riders alike are eager to see what surprises this race will bring.
Unpredictability seems to be the name of the game at the Argentina Grand Prix, with changeable weather and unexpected winners becoming somewhat of a tradition at this round of the championship. The lack of data at this venue adds to the element of surprise, with three of the past five MotoGP races having been canceled. This, combined with the early-season date of the race, means that anything can happen as manufacturers continue to fine-tune their new machines.
Looking back at the last race held in Argentina two years ago, we saw Marco Bezzecchi clinch his breakthrough MotoGP win in wet conditions. It was also the weekend where Alex Marquez secured his first pole position. The 2023 edition brought a sprint race victory for Brad Binder and KTM, a rare sight for the manufacturer in MotoGP.
In the previous year, Aleix Espargaro made history with Aprilia’s first win in MotoGP, defeating Jorge Martin. The controversial 2018 race saw Cal Crutchlow emerge victorious amidst a chaotic start caused by changing weather conditions.
As the anticipation builds for this year’s Argentina Grand Prix, all eyes are on Marc Marquez, who dominated the opening race in Thailand. While history shows that surprises are common in South America, it will still be a challenge for anyone to beat Marquez this weekend. Despite his past successes in Argentina, including wins in 2014, 2016, and 2019, Marquez faces stiff competition from his rivals.
Francesco Bagnaia, Marquez’s teammate and main contender for the 2025 season, has yet to secure a podium in Argentina. With a crash in the last visit here, Bagnaia will be looking to improve on his performance from Thailand. Meanwhile, Alex Marquez, fresh off a strong showing in the opening round, will be aiming to challenge his brother once again.
With Aprilia and Bezzecchi making strides in previous editions of the race, all eyes will be on the new Aprilia/Bezzecchi combination, which showed promise in Thailand. Honda’s Johann Zarco, a former Moto2 winner at Termas de Rio Hondo, will also be a rider to watch this weekend.
Off the track, the Argentina round of the championship has had a tumultuous history, with sporadic appearances on the calendar until 2014. In recent years, the race has faced challenges such as cancellations during the pandemic and logistical issues. Despite these obstacles, the Argentina Grand Prix continues to be a highlight of the MotoGP season, promising excitement and unpredictability for fans and riders alike.
