Argentina GP 2025 Preview: Termas Ready for a Fightback as Márquez Takes Early Lead

Just two weeks after a sensational season opener in Thailand, the MotoGP paddock shifts west to Termas de Río Hondo for the Gran Premio de la República Argentina (Round 2 of 22). Marc Márquez arrives in Argentina atop the standings and brimming with confidence after a flawless Ducati debut in Buriram – but the chasing pack sees Termas as an opportunity to respond. The question on everyone’s mind: can anyone halt Márquez’s momentum this early in the season?

Track Overview: Termas de Río Hondo

The Termas circuit is a favorite among riders, known for its fast, flowing layout and high-speed corners. The 4.8 km track in northern Argentina features a mix of long straights, quick direction changes, and only a couple of heavy braking zones. The signature Turn 6/7 section – a long, looping right-hander that seems to go on forever – tests tire endurance and rider courage alike. Overall, Termas rewards a balanced bike setup and a smooth riding style.

Typically, higher temperatures and dusty conditions (especially on Friday practice) can challenge grip levels until the racing line cleans up. Importantly, the track’s characteristics differ from Thailand’s stop-and-go nature. This could shuffle the competitive order: bikes with agile handling and edge grip (think Yamaha and Aprilia) often perform better here than at horsepower tracks. In the past, we’ve seen Yamaha (Quartararo) and Honda (Marquez) victorious at Termas, while Ducati’s results were mixed – though in 2023, a Ducati did triumph here, showing their machine’s all-around improvement. All eyes will be on whether Ducati continues to hold an edge through the fast sweepers, or if others can capitalize on more favorable terrain.

Weather for the weekend looks generally dry and warm (around 28°C air temp), but as always at Termas, sudden rain is a wildcard (who can forget the chaotic flag-to-flag race in 2016?). Should we get a wet session or race, expect experienced rain masters like Johann Zarco or Jack Miller to shine.

Márquez vs. The Field: Early Championship Intensity

Thanks to his win and sprint victory in Thailand, Marc Márquez has the maximum 37 points – already 17 points clear of his nearest competitors after just one round. It’s very early days, but the psychological tone is set: Márquez on the Ducati is as formidable as feared. However, Termas presents a new challenge. Marc hasn’t raced here since 2019 (due to injuries and calendar changes) and famously had a love-hate history in Argentina – blistering speed but also incidents (like the 2018 clashes). On the Ducati GP25, he’ll aim to keep it clean and let his pace do the talking. If Márquez can deliver another win or even just a podium here, it will further cement him as the man to beat in 2025.

The Ducati Armada is likely to be strong again. Teammate Francesco Bagnaia will be very motivated after a third-place in Thailand that he felt could have been more. Bagnaia has a smooth, precise style well-suited to Termas’ flowing bends, and he’s a former Moto2 winner at this track. Don’t be surprised if Pecco turns the tables and challenges Marc head-on this Sunday. Additionally, watch for Álex Márquez – fresh off his first premier-class podium, he’s carrying huge confidence. The Gresini rider’s ability to throw down fast qualifying laps could put him in contention again. The Ducati that might have a tougher go is Johann Zarco’s LCR Honda… oh wait, Zarco is on a Honda now – and that highlights a key storyline:

Martín and Aprilia: Time to Strike Back

Thailand was a nightmare for Jorge Martín, who scored zero points after a crash. The defending champ cannot afford another whiff in Argentina if he wants to keep Márquez within reach. The good news: Termas could play to Aprilia’s strengths. The RS-GP traditionally excels in high-speed cornering stability – something Termas demands. Both Martín and teammate Marco Bezzecchi will benefit from the track’s flowing nature, which might mitigate Aprilia’s slight power deficit.

Aprilia’s last outing in Argentina (2023) saw Aleix Espargaró take a podium, showing the bike can be competitive here. Martín has openly said, “We need to start our season in Argentina.” Expect him to come out swinging in practice to fine-tune the Aprilia’s settings. His focus will be on getting a strong qualifying position – a must on a track where the racing line funnels into a tight Turn 1. If Martín can qualify on the front two rows, he has the race pace potential to fight for the podium. It’s also a critical weekend for Aprilia’s morale; a strong result would validate Martín’s move and keep the championship within touching distance.

For Marco Bezzecchi, Argentina might present his first real shot at a win in factory colors. Bez was impressive in Thailand with a P6, but he’ll be aiming higher now. Keep an eye on him especially in the sprint – his aggressive style and quick launches could yield a top result on Saturday, which would boost his Sunday prospects. The intra-Aprilia dynamic between Martín and Bezzecchi is friendly yet competitive; Termas could be the venue where we see which of them asserts early team leadership.

Yamaha and KTM: Looking for Resurgence

Fabio Quartararo and Yamaha had a quiet opener (Fabio was P8 in Thailand’s main race, after a technical problem forced him to retire from the sprint). But Termas historically suits the Yamaha M1’s agile chassis. Quartararo is one of only two current riders (with Márquez) to have won a MotoGP race at Termas (Fabio triumphed in 2022). He knows how to manage tires through the long curves, and Yamaha’s inline-4 engine won’t be as big a handicap here as at power circuits. Crucially, Yamaha needs to demonstrate that their bike can fight for podiums this year – Argentina is an opportunity to do so. A top-3 finish for Fabio would be a huge statement that the season isn’t purely a Ducati-Aprilia show.

His new teammate Alex Rins has fond memories of Termas – he famously duelled Marquez for victory here in 2019 (on a Suzuki). Rins is still adapting to the Yamaha, but if there’s a track where his silky riding can overcome any bike deficits, this is it. Watch for Rins in mixed conditions; he’s one of the paddock’s best at feeling grip when it’s treacherous. A solid top-10 for Rins would already be progress.

On the KTM front, the orange bikes had an underwhelming Thailand (Binder 8th, Acosta crash, etc.). But don’t count them out. Termas’ fast corners haven’t always been KTM’s favorite, but Binder has a knack for Sunday heroics. The team has brought a new chassis update here aimed at improving mid-corner stability. If it works, Binder could surprise – he snagged a sprint podium in Argentina last year.

Pedro Acosta will look to bounce back from his debut crash; the Moto2 champ knows Termas well (he won the Moto3 race here in 2021). A calmer, points-scoring ride is likely his goal as he builds experience. Tech3 KTM riders Enea Bastianini and Maverick Viñales fall into the category of “needing a result.” Bastianini had a quiet P9 in Thailand, but Termas could allow him to exploit his late-braking skills on the RC16 – if he can find front-end confidence, he might mix it up in the top 8. Viñales, historically strong at Termas (he won here in 2017 with Yamaha), is still struggling with the KTM transition. This track could either light a spark for Maverick or deepen his woes. Free Practice will be telling for him.

Home Heroes and Fan Atmosphere

Argentina doesn’t have a local rider in MotoGP, but the Termas crowd is one of the most passionate on the calendar, often adopting a favorite. In past years, they fervently cheered for Valentino Rossi; this year, the loudest cheers might be for Franco Morbidelli, who is of Argentine descent on his mother’s side. Morbidelli had a fantastic Thailand GP (4th place) and seems revitalized on the VR46 Ducati. The fans, aware of his roots, will likely treat Franco as an honorary home hero. He joked, “I’m half-Argentine, so I expect half the cheers of a local!” If Morbidelli continues that form, a podium isn’t out of the question – which would send the crowd into a frenzy.

Additionally, Ai Ogura may gain a following here after his stunning P5 in the opener. Latin American fans appreciate underdogs and fresh talents; Ogura’s calm, skilled riding won many admirers. Don’t be surprised to see Japanese flags or “OGURA 49” banners in the stands (the global MotoGP community is increasingly connected, and Ogura’s story is resonating).

Storylines to Watch

Sprint Race Strategies: Thailand’s sprint was relatively cautious up front, as riders learned the new season’s dynamics. By Argentina, expect them to push harder. With Márquez already enjoying a points lead, others like Bagnaia, Martín, and Quartararo might view the sprint as a chance to claw back some points and confidence. A frantic 12-lap dash on Saturday could reshuffle expectations for Sunday.

Tire Choice: Termas can be abrasive on the right side of the tire due to prolonged cornering. Michelin has brought a stiffer carcass rear tire to handle it. Watch for a mix of medium vs hard tire choices in the race – cooler track temps in late afternoon might tempt some to gamble on the medium for extra early grip, while others play safe with hards to avoid a drop. If someone like Bagnaia or Quartararo can make a softer tire last race distance, it could be the winning move.

Ride Height Devices and Passing: The long Turn 6-7-8 sequence means corner exit onto the back straight is crucial. The Ducatis’ ride-height devices give them a squatting advantage driving onto that straight, which could make them tough to overtake. If a non-Ducati is stuck behind a Ducati through there, passing might only come under braking at Turn 5 or Turn 13. This could influence how races play out – watch if riders try different lines in Turn 6 to stay close or set up a slipstream pass.

Championship Picture: Yes, it’s only Round 2, but momentum matters. If Márquez wins again (or podiums while key rivals falter), he could already begin to stretch a gap that forces others into riskier strategies down the line. Conversely, if someone like Bagnaia or Martín takes the win, it tightens everything and perhaps rattles the Ducati camp’s early dominance aura. Every point counts even now – especially with 22 rounds, small swings can add up.

Argentina often produces unpredictable races – from mixed weather to surprise winners (remember Jack Miller’s pole in 2018 on slicks in the wet!). The stage is set for another chapter in this developing 2025 saga. Marc Márquez may have the target on his back, but he thrives under pressure. Can Ducati go 2-for-2? Or will we see Aprilia’s champion bite back, Yamaha’s dark horse surge, or another Márquez (Alex) steal the limelight? Come Sunday, the fiery Termas crowd will witness the answers.

One thing’s for sure: the roar for MotoGP is back in Argentina, and the riders are ready to dance with the devil at Termas de Río Hondo. ¡Que comience la batalla! (Let the battle begin!)