Marco Bezzecchi
Marc Marquez will be looking to continue his fine form at Ducati as MotoGP returns to Argentina.
The Autodromo Termas de Rio Hondo is back on the calendar after the 2024 race was cancelled. The country was facing government spending cuts under the new president.
After a year away, the Argentina Grand Prix will host the second round of the 2025 season. Heading into the race, Marquez is the overwhelming favourite.
The Spaniard grabbed a clean sweep at the season opener in Thailand. Marquez grabbed pole position and victory in the Sprint and main race on his Ducati debut.
Following such a dominant display in Buriram, the 32-year-old will be eager to continue the momentum and bridge a bigger gap between his rivals. Marquez has the perfect chance to do that in Argentina.
‘Everyone in the paddock’ is expecting Marc Marquez to win the Argentina Grand Prix
Termas is a strong circuit for the six-time MotoGP champion. Its low-grip nature suits Marquez’s riding style and has seen him grab three victories at the track (2014, 2016 and 2019).
Victory this year would see the Spaniard become the most winningest rider in Argentina – he is currently level with Mick Doohan and Hugh Anderson with three wins. Reporter Jack Appleyard says ‘everyone in the paddock’ is expecting Marquez to do just that.
“It is a place where Marquez has dominated in the past. Last time he was here, 2019 when he won the race by close to 10 seconds,” said Appleyard via the official MotoGP YouTube channel.
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“He was already three seconds up the road after only three laps. He comes into this weekend, as you can imagine, as the heavy, heavy favourite.
“Everyone in the paddock is fully expecting to see the No.93 take victory in the Sprint and the Grand Prix this weekend.
“But that I think allows the other 21 riders on the grid to go under the radar and potentially cash in on an opportunity this weekend.”
Why Marc Marquez already feels like a ‘world champion’ with Ducati
Victory in Argentina would cement Marquez’s position as the favourite to clinch the 2025 title. It would also be a disaster for teammate Francesco Bagnaia.
The Italian offered little completion to the Spaniard in Thailand and will have to be on top of his game to get the better of him. But Sylvain Guintoli thinks Qatar is Bagnaia’s ‘first chance’ to beat Marquez – he cannot afford to wait that long.
Bagnaia was beaten in Buriram by Marquez’s brother Alex Marquez, who finished second in the Sprint and the main race, The Spaniard has proved the satellite riders can cause a stir at the front of the field.
Marquez says he already feels like a ‘world champion’ after sharing the podium with his younger brother in Thailand. The duo created history by becoming the first brothers to finish first and second in the premier class.
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