Marco Bezzecchi returns to Termas de Río Hondo, a track of past success

Marco Bezzecchi returns to Termas de Río Hondo, where he secured his first premier-class victory, as Aprilia looks to build momentum.

Marco Bezzecchi of Italy and Aprilia Racing speaks with journalists during a media scrum in the media center at the Thailand MotoGP Test at Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand, on February 13, 2025. Photo by Mirco Lazzari/Getty Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Marco Bezzecchi and Aprilia Racing head to Argentina this weekend for the second round of the 2025 MotoGP World Championship, as the Italian rider looks to build on his sixth-place finish in Thailand. After making his Aprilia debut in the season opener, Bezzecchi is eager to take another step forward at Termas de Río Hondo, a circuit where he has already tasted victory.

The Argentinian Grand Prix holds special significance for both Bezzecchi and Aprilia. In 2022, Aleix Espargaró secured Aprilia’s first-ever MotoGP victory at the track, marking a milestone for the RS-GP project. A year later, Bezzecchi claimed his maiden premier-class win in a rain-soaked 2023 race. Now, with Aprilia, he returns to a venue where both team and rider have made history, hoping to deliver another standout performance.

“I am very happy to finally return to Argentina because I really like this track, and I was sorely disappointed about not going last year,” Bezzecchi said ahead of this weekend’s race.

“We did a good job in Thailand, and we need to keep improving along with the team. I can’t wait to be on the track.”

Argentina was absent from the MotoGP calendar in 2024 due to political changes in the country, but its return in 2025 provides Bezzecchi with an opportunity to race at one of his favorite circuits once again.

Aprilia eyes progress with Bezzecchi and Savadori

Aprilia arrives in Argentina with high expectations as it continues to refine the RS-GP25. The Noale-based manufacturer showed flashes of competitiveness in Thailand, and with Bezzecchi gaining more experience on the bike, the team hopes to be closer to the front this weekend.

Alongside Bezzecchi, Aprilia test rider Lorenzo Savadori will once again step in as a replacement for Jorge Martin, who remains sidelined due to injury. For Savadori, Termas de Río Hondo presents a new challenge, as he has never raced at the circuit before.

“Termas is a new track for me where I have never ridden, and I can’t wait to try it,” Savadori said.

“We are working in the right direction, and the goal for the weekend is to continue growing the RS-GP25 more and more so that we can give Jorge [Martin] the best possible bike upon his return.”

While Savadori will focus on gathering data and continuing Aprilia’s development program, Bezzecchi will be looking to maximize his potential and fight for a strong result. With both rider and manufacturer having past success at the track, expectations are high as they aim to take another step forward in MotoGP 2025.