We have just closed the Portuguese Grand Prix, which kicked off the season under the dominance of Pecco Bagnaia, but it’s already time to turn the page, because this weekend the MotoGP lands immediately in Argentina. And the consequences of the Portimao weekend will be felt, because at Termas de Rio Hondo we would have a reduced grid, with just 19 bikes at the start.
Among other things, two will be luxurious absences, because we are talking about Marc Marquez and Enea Bastianini. The Honda rider was the negative protagonist last Sunday, because on the third lap he exaggerated when braking into turn 3, hitting Jorge Martin first and then ending up knocking down Miguel Oliveira. The curious thing is that he was the one who suffered the worst, because he repaired a fracture in his right hand for which he was also operated on. The Ducati Pramac rider also has a broken toe, but he will be in the game, as will the Aprilia RNF rider who, despite the violent impact, only got away with a severe contusion to his right leg.
Bastianini, on the other hand, paid the price for the Sprint Race: during the second lap he was in battle with Luca Marini when the Mooney VR46 rider lost the front of his Ducati, ending up hitting his bike in the middle and throwing it into the air. In the fall to the ground, unfortunately, “Beast” suffered a fractured scapula, which will keep him away from his Desmosedici GP for this weekend.
The third absentee is Pol Espargaro, who is probably the worst off. The GasGas driver was the victim of a thrilling accident in FP2, paying for the shortcomings of the Portimao circuit: the too thick gravel did not slow down his race and in this way he crashed violently against a barrier that had not been covered with airfences. The Spaniard suffered a pulmonary trauma, as well as a fracture of the jaw and that of a dorsal vertebra, which should cost him a long stop.
Speaking of who will be there, it is obvious that Bagnaia will be in everyone’s sights after the Portuguese double, but he will have to be very careful especially of Maverick Vinales: we must not forget that Aprilia’s only victory in 2022 came right on the Argentine track with Aleix Espargaro, so we’re talking about a track that seems very suitable for the needs of the RS-GP. It will then be necessary to see if the Argentine air will allow Fabio Quartararo and Yamaha to get back on track after a complicated debut to say the least, as well as understanding who the outsiders could be this time, after Marco Bezzecchi took the podium in Portugal.
Below, you can find the television programming and also that of Motorsport.com LIVE, so you don’t miss even a second of everything that will happen in Argentina.
Marc Marquez, Repsol Honda Team, Miguel Oliveira, RNF MotoGP Racing
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
MotoGP 2023: the times of the Argentine Grand Prix (Italian time)
With the introduction of the new format, which requires the MotoGP to be on the track last on every day of the weekend, no changes are foreseen even when racing outside Europe, therefore also at Termas de Rio Hondo we will have what we now have to set standards. The times obviously change though, because with the Argentine time zone the Sprint will be at 8pm on Saturday and the GP at 7pm on Sunday.
Friday 31st March
FP1 Moto3: 14:00-14:35
FP1 Moto2: 2.50pm-3.30pm
MotoGP FP1: 15:45-16:30
FP2 Moto3: 18:15-18:50
FP2 Moto2: 19:05-19:45
MotoGP FP2: 20:00-21:00
Saturday 1st April
FP3 Moto3: 1.40pm-2.10pm
FP3 Moto2: 14:25-14:55
MotoGP FP3: 15:10-15:40
MotoGP Qualifying: 15:50-16:30
Moto3 qualifying: 17:50-18:30
Moto2 qualifying: 18:45-19:25
MotoGP sprints: 8:00 pm
Sunday 2nd April
MotoGP warm-up: 2.45pm-2.55pm
Moto3 race: 4:00 pm
Moto2 race: 5.15pm
MotoGP race: 7:00 pm
MotoGP 2022: how can I watch the Argentine GP
Sky Sport MotoGP HD (Sky Channel 208) and Now: Full live coverage of all weekend sessions.
TV8 HD (channel 8 of digital terrestrial): live coverage of qualifying and the Sprint on Saturday and deferred coverage of the three Sunday races.
Saturday 1st April: live coverage of the qualifications of the three classes and the Sprint.
Sunday 2 April: Moto3 race at 18:00; Moto2 race at 7.10pm; MotoGP race at 21:00.
MotoGP 2023: LIVE from Motorsport.com of the GP of Argentina
Saturday 1st April
MotoGP Qualifying: from 15:20
MotoGP sprints: from 19:30
Sunday 2nd April
MotoGP race: from 18:30
Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Team, Marco Bezzecchi, VR46 Racing Team, Maverick Vinales, Aprilia Racing Team
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
MotoGP 2023: let’s discover the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit
A total of 4.8 kilometers in length awaits the MotoGP riders next weekend in Argentina. Five left-hand corners and nine right-hand corners will form the basis for the second round of the World Championship, on a 16-metre wide track.
Runway length |
4.8km |
Track width |
16m |
Curves | 14 (5 right, 9 left) |
Longer straight |
1,076 m |
MotoGP 2023: the records of Termas de Rio Hondo
Pilot |
Year |
Record |
Time |
Marc Marquez | 2014 | Absolute record and best pole | 1’37″683 |
Valentino Rossi | 2015 | Race records | 1’39″019 |
I’m sorry Bagnaia | 2022 | Full speed | 345.5 km/h |
The rider with the most victories on this circuit is Marc Marquez, with 3 victories (2014, 2016 and 2019). Of the current starting grid, Aleix Espargaro took victory in the last edition (2022), while Maverick Vinales climbed to the top in 2017.
Valentino Rossi (2015) and Cal Crutchlow (2018) are the other two riders who have achieved at least one victory in Argentina. Will a new rider join the roster this year?
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