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MotoGP returns to Argentina for the second round of the championship, bringing with it a lot of doubts and expectations about the performance of the riders, especially after the Thailand opener in which they already started with a solid base thanks to early season testing. Termas de Rio Hondo will thus be a real litmus test to highlight even more the on-track form factor this season, between the performance of the Ducatis and the surprises produced by the rookies, first and foremost Ogura in force on the Trackhouse Aprilia.
It is no mystery that the approach to MotoGP for rookies has always been difficult, even KTM prodigy Acosta struggled on his debut in Qatar last year to only finish at the bottom of the top ten. In light of this, therefore, the Japanese rider's performance was all the more exhilarating, as he scored a 4th place in the Sprint and a 5th in the Sunday race aboard the Aprilia at Buriram, that's quite a record for a rookie that brings him closer to the one set by Marc Marquez in 2013. However, the Japanese rider, fresh from his Moto2 title, appeared calm and focused from the start, not giving in to easy exaltation and remaining humble even in his declarations.
"It was an incredible weekend in Thailand," he said to the stream of journalists at the end of the race, "I'm happy with these results but I know it's just the beginning, there is still a lot to learn and improve," he then continued with determination after candidly dismissing his own performance as the result of 'copying Bagnaia'. Later he declared that "the only goal is to improve. Am I surprised by the result? Yes. I think I handled the heat well because I had so many races in Asia when I was a kid," he added jokingly to reporters.
The humble Ogura has already thrilled his colleagues and rivals.
Ogura's approach to the Aprilia has been more than positive since the start of the championship, and for the occasion he was even able to sport the new Gulf livery for a really great look, complaining only of a difficulty in braking, something he admits he needs to work on more instinctively than technically. His modesty was countered, however, by compliments from the paddock. Primarily that of Davide Brivio, who had called his performance 'thrilling,' as well as compliments and admiration from fellow brand-mates Raul Fernandez and Bezzecchi, and from opponents such as Morbidelli, who called it incredible.
All eyes are therefore on the second opportunity to put himself to the test, the Argentine circuit precisely, on which no tests have been held and where no races were held last year. A track that has little grip and a lot of tyre wear, where handling will be a key aspect and which in 2022 gave a lot of satisfaction to Aprilia with Aleix's victory.
"I can't wait to go to another circuit, Termas De Rio Hondo is a fast circuit, so it will be fun to ride there," he added, "I'm looking forward to continuing the work with the team, we are on track to improve many things. The key will be to start well on Friday to arrive ready for Sunday's race, I want to have fun and continue to progress, each weekend is a new opportunity to discover the bike and understand how to maximize our potential," the Trackhouse rider explained with his usual humility.
Aldeguer is aiming high, and he can count on the help of Marc Marquez
The expectations surrounding the Japanese rider are therefore high, but this should not mean that the other two rookies of this season should be ignored. Fermin Aldeguer, despite a 13th place finish in both the sprint and the long race, has already openly put himself forward as rookie of the year. The highly competitive GP24 is in itself an excellent calling card, and while his first approach to testing was rodeo-like, with a wheelie that split his front fairing, it is to be understood that for the Spaniard the terms of his approach to his Ducati are a matter of little time.
After all, as he himself admitted, "I talked with Marc about everything from riding style to tyres. We can talk, but in the end I have to be the one to put into practice what we said to each other on the track. I can brake hard, but I still have to figure out how to take advantage of the rear tyre on the fast lap. When I can do that I will take a big step forward," reassured the Spaniard, who, with Marc's data and advice in hand, will then be able to count on no small advantage.
Chantra, a fast rider in the slow corners
The third of the rookies, and the one that could spring the biggest surprise, is Chantra. Clearly, the Buriram favorite at his first MotoGP test in Thailand struggled mightily on his Honda LCR despite racing at home, a difficulty that did not, however, take away his iconic smile. "A rocket, my shoulders are shattered, before I got on the bike I was so nervous that I was afraid I would have a heart attack," he candidly admitted, but the fact that he carried out the tests on the same circuit may have denied him the advantage given by knowledge of the track. Lucio Cecchinello about his own rider was pointing out that "he is good in the slow corners, and he can improve in the fast ones," and as the Argentine circuit is quite varied in its layout, this could be a factor that might play to his advantage in this rookie battle with his young fellow racers.
