We’re back in South America, and Marc Marquez is back on top. Can anyone dethrone him at one of his strongest tracks?
From Thailand’s Temples to Argentina’s Tango-Filled Streets – It’s Time for Termas!
We’re heading to Termas de Río Hondo, a track that has delivered first-time winners, unforgettable moments, and plenty of drama over the years. And this weekend, one man arrives with a target on his back.
Marc Marquez: The Man to Beat
Fresh off a dream debut with Ducati, Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) leads the championship for the first time in 93 races—almost too perfect, right? After a dominant double win in Thailand, he now returns to a track where he was the first-ever winner and has claimed three victories. But Termas hasn’t always been smooth sailing for him—think back to those high-profile clashes we all remember.
Ducati’s factory squad has never won here, and the manufacturer’s only Termas triumph came from Marco Bezzecchi in 2023. Marquez himself hasn’t raced in Argentina since 2019, but that day, he demolished the field, finishing 9.8 seconds ahead of Valentino Rossi. Is another statement win on the cards?
His teammate, Francesco Bagnaia, has yet to secure a podium in Argentina in any class, but after a strong double podium in Thailand, expect him to be in the mix again.
Thailand’s Unsung Heroes: Can Alex Marquez & Ai Ogura Shine Again?
So far in 2025, a Marquez has led every lap—thanks to Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) taking over during his brother’s strategic play in Thailand. Alex claimed his first Ducati podium at Termas last year, plus a P5 in the Sprint after holding off Bagnaia. Could he be in for another big result?
Then there’s Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team)—the best MotoGP rookie debut since Marc Marquez in 2013. The Japanese sensation has raced at Termas twice, landing on the Moto2 podium in 2022. With a P5 in his first-ever MotoGP race, can he keep the momentum going?
Meanwhile, Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) heads to Argentina after a solid P4 in Thailand, and he’s no stranger to Termas success, having finished P4 in both the Sprint and GP last year with Yamaha. Expect the Brazilian fans in the stands to give him extra support this weekend.
In the Hunt: Bezzecchi’s Argentina Record, Di Giannantonio’s Fitness & More
Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) kicked off his Aprilia chapter with a solid top six in Thailand, but Argentina is where he truly shines—he won here in 2023, and in 2022, Aprilia secured their first-ever MotoGP win with Aleix Espargaro. Can the Noale factory reclaim their Termas dominance?
Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) battled through pre-season injuries to grab a top 10 in Thailand and will aim to close the gap to the front in Argentina.
Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), who won the 2023 Argentina Sprint, recovered to P8 in both Thailand races despite a rough qualifying. Expect more from the South African this weekend. Pedro Acosta, meanwhile, faces a new challenge—he’s never ridden a MotoGP bike at Termas. Can the rookie sensation adapt quickly?
Honda & Yamaha: Progress in Thailand, But Can They Deliver in Termas?
Both brands showed improvement in Thailand, but can they take another step forward in Argentina?
For Honda, Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) secured Honda’s best result in over a year with P7 in Thailand. Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) showed promising pace before crashing, while Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol) continues his learning curve.
At Yamaha, Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) impressed in the Sprint with P7, but his Grand Prix race didn’t go as planned. Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) showed serious one-lap speed, qualifying P4, while Miguel Oliveira (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) will aim to build on his P14 finish.
With a new track and fresh data, both teams have another chance to prove their progress.
Don’t Count Them Out: Bastianini’s Late-Race Strength & More
Despite a tough pre-season, Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3) showed his late-race pace is still a weapon, finishing P9 in Thailand. Can he take another step forward in Termas?
His teammate, Maverick Viñales, will be hoping for a turnaround at a track where he previously won.
Meanwhile, rookie Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) bagged points on debut and now returns to the circuit where he took his first Moto2 pole. Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) showed strong pace but left Thailand without points—expect him to fight back hard.
Aprilia will also have Lorenzo Savadori stepping in for injured reigning champion Jorge Martin, putting in valuable miles for the 2025 RS-GP’s development.
Can Anyone Stop Marquez?
Three wins at Termas may not seem overwhelming, but it’s what has stopped Marquez from winning more that’s notable—not his speed.
With fierce rivals, new faces in the mix, and a Ducati team that’s never won here, the stage is set for another classic showdown. Can anyone take the fight to #93? We’re about to find out.
Moto2: Gonzalez Aims to Dominate the New Turf at Termas
Simply put, Buriram was all Manuel Gonzalez’s. The Spaniard dominated the opening Moto2 weekend by grabbing both pole and victory, setting an early challenge for his rivals as they head to Termas de Rio Hondo.
Aron Canet (Fantic Racing LINO SONEGO) emerged as Gonzalez’s main challenger in Thailand. Having claimed his seventh podium in nine races, Gonzalez is eager to lock in a 25-point win at a track where he’s already tasted success. A P2 finish—just like his standout performance in Argentina back in 2018—or even better would be ideal for the #44, and a similar result would be a boost for Buriram’s P3 finisher too.
Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) was a bright light in Round 1, but Termas is uncharted territory for the Aussie. It’s a challenge reminiscent of what 2023’s Moto2 Argentina GP winner faced in Thailand. Tony Arbolino (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2) managed a P13 last time, so along with Alonso Lopez (Team HDR Heidrun) and Jake Dixon (ELF MarcVDS Racing Team)—the other two 2023 podium finishers—they’ll be hungry for more once the team reaches Termas.
And while it’s not Brazil just yet, Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team) is set to enjoy strong South American support as the Brazilian aims to climb onto the rostrum for his first podium of the season after narrowly missing out in Thailand.
Moto3™: Can Rueda Cement His Dominance in Argentina?
A 7.2-second victory in Moto3 is nearly unheard of, but Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) made history in Thailand, launching his title bid with an emphatic win. Now, the big question is: can the #99 rider keep that momentum going on unfamiliar ground?
Termas de Río Hondo is a track Rueda has only visited once before—just one more appearance than his teammate and standout rookie, Alvaro Carpe, who already managed a debut podium in Thailand. If Rueda can replicate that magic in Argentina, a track he’s never raced on, it would mark an incredible start to his Moto3 journey.
Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) is also new to Termas, but the confident #31 believes he can be quick right from the start. On the flip side, Dennis Foggia (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) brings a wealth of experience and previous podium success at Termas. After a promising return to the class, can the Italian add another accolade—building on his 2022 silver medal—to his Argentina honors?
After a Round 1 where many of the frontrunners fell short, expect a field full of hungry, determined Moto3 riders ready to leave their mark in Termas.
Official MotoGP Press Release
