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After a year's absence, MotoGP returns to the Termas de Rio Hondo track this weekend for the second round of the season. A round that will mark the return of Marc Marquez to the Argentine track for the first time since 2019. A year in which he scored his third success with the Honda RC213V in the South American state, where he also boasts five pole positions. The perfect opportunity for the 32-year-old to try to extend the streak of victories with which he opened his new chapter as Ducati's factory rider in Thailand.
"Another double win? We will see during the weekend if there is a chance. In Thailand we got off to the best possible start with a double win, and when I got home I heard a lot of people talking about it," commented the rider from Cervera, who does not want to get carried away by enthusiasm: "We have to keep our feet on the ground and keep working like we did in Thailand. Here in Argentina I have gone strong most seasons, but I have also made mistakes. We'll see if we can get a good start as early as FP1 so that the weekend will be easier."
One of the unknown factors for the nine-time World Champion will be figuring out how the Desmosedici performs at the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit.
"One of the main characteristics of this Grand Prix is that the grip of the track improves over the course of the weekend, so you have to adapt your riding style and the set-up of the bike, and you have to try to understand where the limit is. The Ducati has a fantastic balance and it works in all conditions: whether the track is slippery or offers great grip. Because of my riding style, I prefer it when there is little grip because I feel more comfortable. Alex is giving me the right advice, but I've been told that the official Ducati team has never won here at Termas. We will try," said Marc, who was little concerned about the track conditions, "I ran around the track today and it looked okay."
After the dream debut he experienced in Buriram, the eldest of the Marquez brothers arrives at this weekend as the leader of the championship standings. A position he has not held since 2019.
"How does it feel? It feels good. I feel good with both the bike and the team, and it's very important that there is good communication between us," he replied, "I feel relaxed and comfortable, but there are still 21 races and we have to keep going like this."
Asked whether or not he was thinking about the World Championship, Marc added, "Before the start of the season you can't think about the title, because you don't know what your level and that of your opponents will be. But at the beginning of the season you logically have to think about the title and I said before the first race that I hope and want to fight for the World Championship until the last races. Whether I will succeed or not will depend on many factors and many rivals like Alex and Pecco and others will appear when Martin returns. The championship is very long and anything can happen. The situation can change from one day to the next and you have to be careful."
Just like in Thailand, reigning Champion Jorge Martin will be missing in Argentina, but he was present in a video-link during the press conference to say hello to his colleagues and to announce that he will not even participate in the event in Austin, Texas, scheduled for later this month. A wise decision according to Marc, who commented on his rival's decision this way, "I already sent him a message, telling him that he has to respect his body. I think it is a smart decision not to race in Austin, because it is a demanding circuit for the body. Don't give up Jorge, day by day you will feel better. We'll be waiting for you on the track!"
The Ducati rider welcomed the idea of repeating the group photo taken in Thailand when Martin returned, so that the Aprilia rider could also take part. "Why not? It would already be the third photo, but every rider deserves to have this photo and especially the reigning champion, number 1 from last season - he underlined - I agree to do it again."
The rider from Cervera then expressed his opinion on the switch from Michelin tyres to Pirelli in 2027.
"I think I'm the only one here who has already experienced the change from Bridgestone to Michelin, and as a rider I don't like to change," he said, "I' m not referring to the change from Michelin to Pirelli, which I'm sure will be very good tyres. The fact is that this kind of change needs an adaptation period for the manufacturers and to adjust the riding style, and I remember when Michelin came in there were some strange crashes and we riders couldn't understand why we were crashing. So as a rider, it's something I don't like, but it's a championship decision and we have to thank Michelin for the great way they developed the tyres, which now have a very good performance."
Since he showed up at the circuit wearing the Argentina jersey, the 32-year-old was then asked if he agrees with those who consider him and Valentino the Messi and Maradona of motorcycle racing.
"I've always said the same thing: I don't like comparisons. Not because of Messi, who has been a point of reference for me. Each athlete, or footballer in this case, has his own era and you cannot know who is the best between Maradona and Messi," he pointed out. "However, Messi has been a point of reference for me, along with Rafa Nadal, for the values they have transmitted to me especially off the field. For me Messi is Messi, but I am very far from these things, which is why I came here with a jersey with my name on it: they are two historical names that I don't like to compare."
The Termas track brings back many memories to Marquez, who took stock of the races he has ridden at the track. Before expressing himself on the possibility that the Argentine GP could in the future be held in Buenos Aires.
"I think it is necessary to have a Grand Prix in Argentina and South America, even two if possible, since we are also going to Brazil. There are many fans and I think it is also good not only to focus only on Europe and Asia, but also on America and South America. I personally would keep this Grand Prix. Whether it's here in Termas or Buenos Aires, but you have to keep it and open up to the world, open up to different cultures," he said, "A balance of my years here? There has been everything: crazy Sundays, like the one in 2018, which was a strange race where I got carried away by adrenaline; races like the one in 2019 that I won with a wide gap and even one where I crashed with two or three seconds to spare. This means that in sports, in motorcycling, you have to be on your toes from start to finish. I will try to have a good memory from this weekend. What did I learn from the 2015 race? This is not the time."
