Pecco Bagnaia wary of Marc Marquez’s winning mentality

Francesco Bagnaia seeks his first podium at Termas de Rio Hondo as Marc Marquez aims to extend his dominance in the 2025 MotoGP season.

Francesco Bagnaia of Italy sits in his garage before the free practice session of the MotoGP of Argentina at Autodromo Termas de Rio Hondo on March 14, 2025, in Rio Hondo, Argentina. Photo by Gold & Goose/LAT Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Francesco "Pecco" Bagnaia enters the 2025 MotoGP Argentina with mounting pressure after Marc Marquez delivered a statement victory in Thailand. The reigning champion has yet to claim a podium finish at Termas de Rio Hondo, a circuit where Marquez has historically excelled.

Marquez, who joined Ducati’s factory team this season, showcased his strength in Thailand by securing pole position, winning the sprint race, and dominating the main event. Meanwhile, Bagnaia struggled to match his new teammate's pace, finishing behind the Spaniard.

“This is a track where Bagnaia has never been on the podium,” said MotoGP analyst Jordan Moreland. “But he was second before he crashed in the wet two years ago.”

With Ducati traditionally performing well in Argentina, Bagnaia must capitalize on his bike’s strengths early in the weekend to challenge Marquez.

Marquez’s dominance at Termas de Rio Hondo

The Termas de Rio Hondo circuit has been a stronghold for Marquez throughout his career. Since his MotoGP debut, the eight-time world champion has consistently been a frontrunner at this venue.

“He won here in 2014, had an incident with Valentino Rossi in 2015, won again in 2016, and was leading before crashing in 2017,” Moreland recalled. “In 2019, he was 3.3 seconds ahead after just three laps.”

The last time MotoGP raced in Argentina before the pandemic, Marquez clinched victory with a commanding lead, highlighting his ability to dominate at this circuit. Given his confidence after the Thailand Grand Prix, Bagnaia’s challenge becomes even steeper.

“If Marquez looks relaxed, that’s a sign that something really good is happening,” Moreland added. “His confidence is sky high after winning in Thailand, and that could be a warning sign for his rivals.”

Bagnaia’s challenge in Argentina

For Bagnaia, the key to closing the gap to Marquez will be ensuring a strong start to the weekend. Historically, he has struggled in early practice sessions, often leaving himself with extra work to do in qualifying.

“Bagnaia has to make sure he’s in Q2,” Moreland said. “Maybe he has the pace to beat Marquez, but it won’t be easy.”

The track conditions in Argentina could also play a crucial role. Termas de Rio Hondo is known for being dirty at the start of the weekend, which can impact grip levels and race strategy.

“The riders said the track was very dirty,” Moreland noted. “It’s similar to Aragon last year, where Marquez was very strong in low-grip conditions.”

If track conditions remain unpredictable, Marquez’s ability to adapt quickly could give him an additional edge over Bagnaia.

Can Bagnaia turn the tide?

Despite the challenges, Bagnaia is not out of contention. Ducati’s GP25 is a formidable machine, and if he can find the right balance early in the weekend, he could put up a serious fight.

Tire management and race strategy will be crucial for Bagnaia if he hopes to disrupt Marquez’s momentum. Any mistake could widen the gap in the championship standings, making the Argentine GP a pivotal moment in the season.

Argentina could either mark Bagnaia’s resurgence or solidify Marquez’s growing dominance. With the title race heating up, all eyes will be on Termas de Rio Hondo to see if Bagnaia can rise to the challenge or if Marquez will continue his reign at the top.