Alex Marquez led the final MotoGP World Championship free practice session on Saturday morning at Termas de Río Hondo, in Argentina. Riding his BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP Desmosedici GP24 on spec Michelin tires, the Spaniard turned a lap time of 1:37.795 which led the field of 22 riders.
His brother, Marc Marquez was next best with a 1:37.882 on his Lenovo Ducati Desmosedici GP25.
Frenchman Johann Zarco was third-fastest at 1:37.965 on his CASTROL LCR Honda RC213V, followed by Fabio Di Giannantonio at 1:38.017 on his Pertamina Enduro VR46 Ducati GP25; Pedro Acosta at 1:38.211 on a Red Bull KTM RC16; and rookie Fermin Aldeguer at 1:38.372 on his BK8 Gresini Ducati GP24.
Jake Dixon was quickest during Moto2 World Championship practice Saturday morning at Termas de Río Hondo, in Argentina. Riding his Pirelli-shod ELF Marc VDS Racing Team Boscoscuro on the 2.99-mile (4.81 km) track, the Briton recorded a 1:41.486 to lead the field of 28 riders.
Barry Baltus was the best of the rest with a 1:41.559 on his Fantic Racing LINO SONEGO Kalex.
His teammate, Aron Canet was third-fastest with a 1:41.706.
American Joe Roberts finished Saturday morning’s practice session 17th with a best time of 1:42.270 on his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex.
Matteo Bertelle led Moto3 World Championship practice Saturday morning, at Termas de Río Hondo, in Argentina. Bertelle used his Pirelli-shod LEVELUP-MTA KTM to lap the 2.99-mile (4.81 km) track in 1:46.303, which led the field of 26 riders.
David Muñoz was second-best with a time of 1:47.044 on his LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP KTM.
Stefano Nepa, piloting his SIC58 Squadra Corse Honda, claimed the third and final spot on the front with a lap time of 1:47.074.
“The apex of that corner is right where the stream is flowing across the track.”
Those words by the Triumph representative leading the circuit tour pretty much summed up the two days of riding in the Algarve in Portugal at the global media launch of the 2025 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS. On the first day of our ride, our wave of journalists just got done with the first photo shoot on the street before the rain hit, and the pavement didn’t dry entirely until everyone had packed up and headed home.
Riding on Pirelli race rain tires at Circuito Internacional do Algarve. Photo courtesy Triumph.
Still, for blasting along country roads and ripping around the Circuito Internacional do Algarve racetrack near Portimao, Portugal, the new Speed Triple is a really competent riding companion. Upgraded semi-active suspension, new electronic rider aids, and more power is a recipe for a good time, but it’s how they all work together that really matters.
What we learned in two days on the road and track is that Triumph engineers not only improved the motorcycle, but refined it so that every feature not only works on its own, but also works together to deliver a great ride. It’s fast, handles and rides well, and does so in a way that’s accessible. Beyond any individual technological advancement, that’s the big deal that stands out to me.
The 2025 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS in Granite/Performance Yellow. Photo courtesy Triumph.
Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS Technical Overview
New engine tuning, a new exhaust system and a new balancer strategy bumps the claimed output a bit. Horsepower goes to 180.5 bhp at 10,750 rpm and 94.4 lbs.-ft. of torque at 8,750 rpm, and the power goes through a six-speed transmission with clutchless up- and down-shifting en route to the fat 190/55 Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP V3 rear tire. Unchanged is the 1160cc displacement, the 90.0mm x 60.8mm bore and stroke, and the general architecture of the inline, three-cylinder, DOHC engine. Brembo Stylema brake calipers work with 320mm discs in the front and are controlled by an adjustable Brembo master cylinder and a cornering-sensitive ABS system.
The chassis remains the same for 2025, with a twin-spar/tubular-aluminum frame and an aluminum swingarm. An aluminum subframe helps keep the claimed curb weight to 438.7 pounds. An adjustable steering damper is fitted, but the biggest change is the new semi-active Ohlins Smart EC3 Objective Based Tuning interface that controls the 43mm inverted front forks and the Ohlins rear shock.
In short, the rider doesn’t select settings. The rider tells the system what they want–generally, more or less support in various phases of the riding process–and the electronic brain adjusts damping and selects the optimal settings to reach that goal. The suspension and engine work together, so that when selecting settings as the rider is riding, the suspension knows what gear the engine is in, throttle settings, etc. New spool-type damping valves in the forks and shock allow for faster adjustments over a wider setting range.
New electronic four-position wheelie control, engine braking modes, and brake slide assist are incorporated into the five ride modes available – Rain, Road, Sport, Track and the customizable Rider mode.
The bars are slightly higher and wider, there are new color schemes–Jet Black, Granite and Diablo Red, and Granite and Performance Yellow. There’s a new seat cowl and an emergency braking system that causes the stylish tail light to flash when the rider hits the brakes hard. American market suggested retail is $19,995.
Riding The Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS
I turned on the heated grips, threw a leg over the seat, and the bike immediately felt small-ish and really solid. The low, tubular bar position isn’t dramatically different than on the prior model, the pegs are mid-rear-set, and the bar-end mirrors are stylish and thankfully arched back over the grips, so they don’t add to the width of the machine — an important consideration when splitting traffic.
Twist the throttle and the engine feels big. There’s no other word to describe it. It’s a bit slower-revving than a supersport bike, but it pounds out torque at relatively low rpm, and while it’s revvy it’s not overly so. Triumph reps say the company wrote the origin story of the streetfighter with the 1994 Speed Triple 900, and big power is part of that narrative. And since there’s no replacement for displacement when it comes to creating power, Triumph engineers opted for big pistons moving through a big stroke. There’s just enough vibration to create a sense of character, the engine/intake noise is a unique growl, and even after the engine punches through a meaty mid-range, it still pulls to redline quickly.
It’s complete and glorious overkill on the street, but the steep, power-eating uphill front straight at the Portimao circuit puts any engine to the test. With a wet surface sapping my desire to really twist the throttle at the exit to the final corner, I was still able to get the Speed Triple to touch 248 kph on a soaking, wind-gusting straight. That’s just shy of 155 mph. Since plunging downhill into a wet Turn One at those speeds didn’t seem like a good idea, I was letting off the throttle early, so I’m pretty sure there’s more to come there.
The active suspension helped the bike feel remarkably planted on the street, especially given that the Pirelli SP V3 tires are really not primarily aimed at use in the wet. The suspension constantly adapts the compression and rebound settings, modulating the spikes in tire loading, which helps avoid breaking traction.
Michael Gougis on the wet track at Portimao, riding a Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS.
What I took away from riding the Triumph on the wet track was the feeling of confidence that the effective electronics suite delivered. Our bikes were set with Rain-mode traction control but Road-mode throttle mapping, which progressively gave us all 180 horsepower. As the day wore on, I got more and more aggressive with the throttle, with more and more lean angle (Pirelli technicians on hand for the Superbike World Championship tests the following day had installed full-on Pirelli soft racing rain tires, and those are magic) and harder on the brakes. We were braking hard enough to trigger the emergency warning tail light and dragging knees with rooster tails of water spraying from both wheels.
The bike never did anything sketchy, and given the circumstances, I’ll remember that for a long time. The bike felt like it had my back in a riding situation where I really wanted a wingman, and that allowed me to go faster than I would have felt comfortable going otherwise. But at the end of the day, streetfighters aren’t about lap times. They’re about emotion, feeling and experience, and that’s what Triumph delivers better than ever with the latest version of the Speed Triple.
At least it wasn’t actually raining during the pre-track-riding orientation tour of the circuit. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Triumph technicians wash one wave of Speed Triple 1200 RS bikes that had been out for the street ride. World Superbike teams are unloading and setting up for a two-day test immediately following the Triumph intro. Photo by Michael Gougis.
(Editorial note: America Garrett Gerloff did not ride his Puccetti Racing Kawasaki ZX-10 RR on Day One of the test.)
Rain played a central role at testing in Portimao for the second time this year, delaying the start of on track action in Day 1 at Portimao. Substantial rainfall overnight left the track very wet throughout the morning, preventing the first MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship riders from taking to the track until an hour after the scheduled start. As the track dried however, teams were able to take advantage of the day, with seven riders finishing within a second of the fastest time.
Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) and his team seem to be working out the problems from their M 1000 RR, ‘El Turco’ was fastest by a margin of more than half a second on the day. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing -Ducati) started slightly later than most of the grid but in another strong day at the office, matching Toprak’s top speed of the day of 305.9 km/h. With less than a tenth of a second separating them, Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) and Xavi Vierge (Honda HRC) impressed in their return to Portimao after testing here in late January.
After a disappointing Australian Round opener, Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) and his crew look to be making progress with their new M1000 RR. In his fifth lap of the day, ‘El Turco’ laid down a fastest lap of 1’42.428s, wrestling P1 from Remy Gardner. He would go on to shave off more and more time as the day continued and the track continued to dry off, improving his time to 1’40.543s, the only rider to crack the 1’40s mark. Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) looked to be still finding his footing with the new chassis of the M 1000 RR, the Dutchman finished in P11, with a time of 1’42.002s.
While Portimao’s Day 1 of Testing brought more manufacturer diversity than what was seen in Australia, Panigale V4R’s remained plentiful in the top 10. Bulega was again fastest among the Italian manufacturer’s riders with his 1’41.168s lap, and his teammate Alvaro Bautista did not participate in the day’s testing, however according to official channels, he will appear in Day 2. Danilo Petrucci was up around the podium the entire day, finishing in P5 and a time of 1’41.281s. Sam Lowes kept the ball rolling after his career-best performance at Phillip Island, this time landing a P9, 0.257s behind P8 with his time of 1’41.929s. Andrea Iannone finished in P12 after a late start to the day, finishing with a time of 1’42.074s. Yari Montella closed out the top 10 with his time of 1’41.987.
Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) was resurgent after an uncharacteristically quiet Australian Round. Locatelli’s fastest lap clocked in at 1’41.202s, just 0.034s slower than Nicolo Bulega in P2. Joining him in the top six, Remy Gardner bounced back in a big way from a disappointing home round in Australia, finishing P6 on the day and only 0.076s slower than Danilo Petrucci in P5. Gardner’s time of 1’41.357s made him one of 12 riders to break into the 1’41s mark. In P13, newcomer Augusto Fernandez logged a fastest lap of 1’42.373s. Fernandez suffered a fall in Turn 15 nearing the end of the session however he walked away uninjured from the incident and continued riding shortly after. Dominique Aegerter clocked in a fastest lap of 1’42.531s, earning him P14.
Only two places separated the two Bimota riders after Day 1 of testing in Portimao. Alex Lowes led the pair in P7, his fastest lap of 1’41.372s was just over two tenths of a second faster than his partner, Axel Bassani. For his part, Bassani landed just behind Lowes in P8 with a time of 1’41.672s, only 0.177s separating the two riders.
Vierge (Honda HRC) replicated the form he was displaying this preseason with an impressive P3 on the back of his 1’41.260s fastest lap. Next up for Honda HRC was test rider Borja Gomez, the fellow Spaniard logging a P15 result on a time of 1’42.722s. Just behind him in P16, Tarran Mackenzie (PETRONAS MIE Honda Racing Team) started later than others, at 13:20 and went on to land a time of 1’43.080s. Next up was Tetsuta Nagashima, (Honda HRC) who registered 70 laps, fastest among them being 1’43.220s. Zaqhwan Zaidi (PETRONAS MIE Honda Racing Team) continued to work on acclimating himself to the bike, logging a personal fastest lap on the day of 1’47.792s
Can Oncu and Aldi Mahendra (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Racing) had a stellar Day 1 at Portimao, P1 and P2 among WorldSSP riders. Oncu’s fastest lap was 1’44.423s, and 0.211s behind him was his teammate Aldi Mahendra, with a time of 1’44.634s. Yamaha’s R9 continues to distinguish itself, as P3 and P4 were also riders of the new Yamaha bike. Lucas Mahias (GMT94 – YAMAHA) was P3 in WorldSSP with his time of 1’45.215s. Following him, Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) finished P4 among WorldSSP riders with a 1’45.681s.
The top six in WorldSBK from Day 1 of the test at Portimao:
1. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) 1’40.543, 41 laps
2. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 1’41.168, 50 laps
3. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) 1’41.202, 50 laps
4. Xavi Vierge (Honda HRC) 1’41.260, 61 laps
5. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) 1’41.281, 41 laps
Marc Marquez led MotoGP World Championship practice Friday afternoon at Termas de Río Hondo, in Argentina. Riding his Lenovo Ducati Desmosedici GP25 on spec Michelin tires, the six-time World Champion turned a lap time of 1:37.295. Not only was that good enough to lead the 22-rider field, it was also good enough to eclipses his own 2014 All-Time Lap Record of 1:37.683.
Fabio Di Giannantonio was the best of the rest with a 1:37.430 on his Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team Ducati Desmosedici.
Alex Marquez was third at 1:37.496 on his BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP Desmosedici, making it three Ducatis in the front row.
Marc Marquez delivers on Friday, Bagnaia narrowly avoids Q1. The #93 danced to a familiar tune in Termas to end Day 1 on top from Di Giannantonio and Alex Marquez as every manufacturer finds Q2 form on Friday.
The #93 on top in Termas – we’ve heard it before, and it was a familiar story on Friday at the 2025 Gran Premio YPF Energía de Argentina. Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) tangoed his way to the timesheet summit in Practice as everyone chases the Spaniard’s GP25 tailpipes heading into Tissot Sprint Saturday. A late corker from Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) and a consistent Friday from Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini MotoGP) see the Italian and Spaniard sit as the title chase leader’s main early contenders, as Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) narrowly avoids another Q1 showing following a Turn 2 crash in the closing minutes.
HOW IT UNFOLDED ON FRIDAY
Just as he did in the morning outing, Marc Marquez quickly clambered his way to the Practice timesheets summit on Friday afternoon, with Johann Zarco (LCR Honda Castrol) and Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) keeping the #93 company up at the sharp end with 25 minutes left on the clock.
Having produced a more than fine day in Free Practice 1 and for the first half of Practice, Zarco’s weekend hit a bump when the Frenchman crashed unhurt at Turn 2. At this stage, Zarco was P3 behind Marquez and Bezzecchi, with Alex Marquez P4. With 20 minutes to go, Bagnaia was sat in P10, seven tenths away from his teammate.
One of the first riders to slot a fresh soft Michelin rear tyre in was Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing). The sophomore climbed to P2, 0.088s shy of Marquez’s effort, before the oldest lap record in MotoGP was bettered. Bezzecchi’s 1:37.510 was good enough to send Marc Marquez’s 2014 effort packing, as plenty of improvements started rolling in. Bagnaia and Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) were now P4 and P5, with Zarco now down in P8.
Bezzecchi’s lap record didn’t last long though. Marc Marquez put his name back next to the number one with a 1:37.438, with Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) shadowing the World Championship leader to help him leap up to P4.
Heading into the final five minutes, Bagnaia wasn’t desperate for a lap time but the Italian was P6. In other words, not safely into Q2 yet. And then, it was session over for the double MotoGP World Champion. Turn 2 bit, Bagnaia slid into the gravel, and that was all she wrote for the #63 who now had an anxious wait to see if he’d avoid a second consecutive Q1 appearance.
After his early session issues, Fabio Quartararo put his Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP machine in P5 to demote Bagnaia to P7. Binder and Zarco then shoved Bagnaia to P9 with less than a minute left, as Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) pinched a late P10 – but it wasn’t session done yet. A late Rins flyer saw Ogura get shuffled out the automatic Q2 places, as Bagnaia survived needing to go through Q1 by the skin of his teeth.
YOUR AUTOMATIC Q2 QUALIFIERS
Marquez’s final flying lap sees the six-time MotoGP World Champion sit over a tenth clear of the late improving Di Giannantonio, with Alex Marquez, Bezzecchi and Binder the top five at the end of play. Rins, Zarco and Quartararo make sure both Japanese manufacturers have something to shout about so far in Termas, as Acosta and Bagnaia scrape through. Crucial for both of those riders.
COMING UP: QUALI AND TISSOT SPRINT SATURDAY IN TERMAS
Storylines aplenty then heading into Saturday at the Argentina GP. Bagnaia will be wanting a better day at the office, Q1 will be a jungle – as always – with Ogura fronting the pecking order in the opening 15 minutes of qualifying, and then there’s the obvious question: can anyone stop Marc Marquez?
Find out if that answer is ‘yes’ in qualifying at 10:50 local time (UTC -3), before the second Tissot Sprint of the season rears its head at 15:00.
Manuel Gonzalez led Moto2 World Championship practice Friday afternoon at Termas de Río Hondo, in Argentina. Riding his Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP Kalex on Pirelli control tires, the Spaniard lapped the 2.99-mile (4.81 km) road course in 1:41.713, topping the field of 27 riders and breaking Alonso Lopez’s All-Time Lap Record of 1:42.472 from 2023.
Alonso Lopez was second-best with a time of 1:41.873 on his Team HDR Heidrun Boscoscuro.
Jake Dixon did a third-fastest 1:41.888 on his ELF Marc VDS Racing Team Boscoscuro.
American Joe Roberts finished Friday afternoon’s practice session 8th with a best time of 1:42.385 on his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex.
Gonzalez grabs Termas Day 1 honours. The Thai GP winner ends a red-flagged Moto2 session at the summit with Lopez and Dixon in tow.
World Championship leader Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) has hit the ground running in Termas de Rio Hondo as the Spaniard ended the red-flagged Moto2 Practice session at the top of the timesheets. Gonzalez’s 1:41.713 was 0.160s quicker than Alonso Lopez’s (Team HDR Heidrun) best time, but it was the #21’s crash on the exit of Turn 3 that signalled the premature end to Practice. Lopez was all OK after the crash, and it was fellow Boscoscuro rider, Jake Dixon (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team), who rounded out the top three.
Marcos Ramirez (OnlyFans American Racing) and Barry Baltus (Fantic Racing) are safely into Q2 after pocketing P4 and P5, with Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) in P6 – but that wasn’t the story of the session for the #44. In the closing stages, Canet suffered a big crash at Turn 11 but has been confirmed as fit for the remainder of the event. It wasn’t all smiles for one of the key names though, as Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team) suffered a dramatic fall at Turn 1, missing the remainder of the session and thus finding himself in P15 and going through Q1.
Get the full results to Moto2 Practice before Saturday’s qualifying day ignites!
David Almansa led Moto3 World Championship practice Friday afternoon at Termas de Río Hondo, in Argentina. Almansa used his Pirelli-shod Leopard Racing Honda to lap the 2.99-mile (4.81 km) track in 1:46.981, which led the field of 26 riders and broke Sergio Garcia’s All-Time Lap Record of 1:48.429 from 2022.
Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Alvaro Carpe was second-best with a time of 1:47.345.
His teammate, Jose Antonio Rueda claimed the third and final spot on the front with a lap time of 1:47.451.
Almansa slams in lap record to head Carpe and Rueda on Day 1. The Spaniard leads a session for the first time in style, heading rookie sensation Carpe and Thailand winner Rueda.
David Almansa (Leopard Racing) heads the Moto3™ timesheets on Day 1 at Termas, topping a session for the first time in his career and with a new lap record. His advantage was impressive too, with 0.364 in hand over rookie Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo). Carpe already raised eyebrows in Thailand with a maiden podium first time out and at a venue he’d never previously ridden. Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) was third fastest as the Thai GP winner proved a key player once again, and was also second fastest in FP1.
Fourth goes to home hero Valentino Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3), who impressed to head a tightly packed group of riders where thousandths made the difference. Joel Kelso (LEVELUP-MTA), Ryusei Yamanaka (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI) and his teammate Angel Piqueras were next up, ahead of Scott Ogden (CIP Green Power), Dennis Foggia (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) and Buriram podium finisher Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing).
One notable name not heading straight through to Q1 is David Muñoz (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) as he ended Practice in P15 – and after topping FP1. But the #64 was involved in an incident with Foggia in the afternoon which remains under investigation for now. Muñoz already has a pitlane start here for causing a crash with Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse) in Thailand though, so qualifying won’t be his key focus. Lunetta too is another surprise who heads for Q1, as does Buriram polesitter Matteo Bertelle (LEVEL UP – MTA) after a crash in the afternoon in Argentina. The incident brought out the Red Flag briefly, but rider ok.
Check out the FULL RESULTS from the session and come back for more on Saturday as Moto3™ head out for another free practice in the morning before qualifying from 12:50 (UTC-3)!
American Michael Gilbert Returns to FIM Endurance World Championship at 24 Hours of Le Mans with Maco Racing Team
Michael Gilbert is set to return to the FIM Endurance World Championship for the prestigious 24 Heures Motos at Le Mans, where he will once again partner with the Maco Racing Team—this time aboard a Yamaha YZF-R1 superbike in the premier EWC category.
Gilbert, who competed for the Maco Racing Team alongside fellow Americans Andrew Lee and Jason Pridmore at the 2024 8 Hours of Spa in the Superstock class, is eager to continue developing his endurance racing experience in one of the most demanding challenges in motorsport. Following a strong and exciting performance at Spa, the American is thrilled to step up to a Superbike in the premier EWC class and take on the 24 Heures Motos alongside Swedish ex-World Supersport rider Christoffer Bergman.
“Competing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans is a dream come true,” says Gilbert. “There’s no doubt this will be the toughest race I’ve faced so far. That said, I’m happy to be partnered with a long-standing team like Maco and to absorb as much as possible from its decades of
experience in the paddock. I’m also looking forward to teaming up with Chris Bergman, whom I got to know very well at Spa. I like to think that all of the team’s experience will be motivating when it’s time to saddle up for a stint in the middle of the night!”
This event also marks a major milestone for the Maco Racing Team, as it will be the team’s 20th consecutive appearance at the 24 Heures Motos. This achievement is a testament to the team’s commitment and dedication to the FIM Endurance World Championship—something Gilbert can draw from as he faces the challenges of such an intense race.
“It’s great for me to give an American rider the opportunity to experience the Endurance World Championship, especially the 24 Hours of Le Mans. When I think back to the days of Jason Pridmore and Doug Toland, I want to welcome Americans back to the paddock,” says Martin Kuzma, the owner of Maco Racing Team. “After his performance at Spa, I understood that Michael is a serious rider, and I trust him to take on the tricky conditions of Le Mans.”
The 24 Heures Motos at Le Mans begins on April 19th, also marking the beginning of the 2025 FIM Endurance World Championship. Gilbert is looking for support to compete in the entire championship with the Maco Racing Team, including the 8 Hours of Spa and 24 Hours of Bol d’Or.
For sponsorship and support opportunities, please contact [email protected]
Marc Marquez topped MotoGP World Championship practice Friday morning at Termas De Río Hondo, in Argentina. Riding his Michelin-shod Lenovo Ducati Desmosedici GP25, the Spaniard turned a lap of 1:38.937 around the 2.99-mile (4.81 km) track and led the 22-rider field.
Frenchman, Johann Zarco was second-best with a 1:38.963 on his CASTROL Honda LCR RC213V.
The Spanish rider, Alex Marquez was third with a lap of 1:39.208 on his BK8 Gresini Racing Ducati Desmosedici.
Two-time MotoGP World Champion, Francesco Bagnaia finished 16th with a time of 1:40.288 on his Lenovo Ducati Desmosedici GP25.
Marquez charges to P1 in Termas FP1 ahead of Zarco. The Championship leader was back at the head of the field as MotoGP™ returns to Argentina, with less than a second covering the top ten.
The first MotoGP™ session in Argentina since 2023, the premier class hit the circuit for the first time during the weekend in tricky but drying conditions. Overnight rain had left the track damp but after Moto3™ and Moto2™’s Free Practice, slick tyres were donned throughout and lap times improving right the way through the 45-minute session. Carrying on his Buriram form, Championship leader Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) leading the charge in Termas.
Early tricky conditions soon abated and whilst the sun remained hidden, the track was soon rubbered in; Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) led the way for plenty of the session but Marquez was soon in his stride and in the final ten minutes, put in a string of fast laps to go P1 despite a big save at Turn 9. Teammate Francesco Bagnaia struggled on Friday morning in P14 but won’t be concerned as it’s often the case. Zarco took P2 with Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) once again in the top three in P3, ahead of Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team). Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) loves Termas and put himself and Aprilia in P5, aiming to once again challenge at the front.
There were three Hondas inside the top ten again as Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol) secured sixth and teammate Joan Mir in ninth. Splitting them, the top Yamaha of Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) and the top KTM of Maverick Viñales (Red Bull KTM Tech 3), ensuring all five manufacturers got representation inside the top eight. Bookending the top ten, Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) on his maiden MotoGP™ voyage at the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit.
That’s all for FP1 so check out the results, Practice up next at 15:00 Local Time (UTC – 4).
Alex Marquez fastest in FP2 MotoGP in Argentina. Photo courtesy Gresini Racing Team.
Alex Marquez led the final MotoGP World Championship free practice session on Saturday morning at Termas de Río Hondo, in Argentina. Riding his BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP Desmosedici GP24 on spec Michelin tires, the Spaniard turned a lap time of 1:37.795 which led the field of 22 riders.
His brother, Marc Marquez was next best with a 1:37.882 on his Lenovo Ducati Desmosedici GP25.
Frenchman Johann Zarco was third-fastest at 1:37.965 on his CASTROL LCR Honda RC213V, followed by Fabio Di Giannantonio at 1:38.017 on his Pertamina Enduro VR46 Ducati GP25; Pedro Acosta at 1:38.211 on a Red Bull KTM RC16; and rookie Fermin Aldeguer at 1:38.372 on his BK8 Gresini Ducati GP24.
Jake Dixon quickest in FP2 in Argentina. Photo courtesy Marc VDS Racing Team.
Jake Dixon was quickest during Moto2 World Championship practice Saturday morning at Termas de Río Hondo, in Argentina. Riding his Pirelli-shod ELF Marc VDS Racing Team Boscoscuro on the 2.99-mile (4.81 km) track, the Briton recorded a 1:41.486 to lead the field of 28 riders.
Barry Baltus was the best of the rest with a 1:41.559 on his Fantic Racing LINO SONEGO Kalex.
His teammate, Aron Canet was third-fastest with a 1:41.706.
American Joe Roberts finished Saturday morning’s practice session 17th with a best time of 1:42.270 on his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex.
Matteo Bertelle fastest in FP2 in Argentina. Photo courtesy LEVELUP MTA Team.
Matteo Bertelle led Moto3 World Championship practice Saturday morning, at Termas de Río Hondo, in Argentina. Bertelle used his Pirelli-shod LEVELUP-MTA KTM to lap the 2.99-mile (4.81 km) track in 1:46.303, which led the field of 26 riders.
David Muñoz was second-best with a time of 1:47.044 on his LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP KTM.
Stefano Nepa, piloting his SIC58 Squadra Corse Honda, claimed the third and final spot on the front with a lap time of 1:47.074.
Riding the 2025 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS at Circuito Internacional do Algarve in Portugal. Photo courtesy Triumph.
“The apex of that corner is right where the stream is flowing across the track.”
Those words by the Triumph representative leading the circuit tour pretty much summed up the two days of riding in the Algarve in Portugal at the global media launch of the 2025 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS. On the first day of our ride, our wave of journalists just got done with the first photo shoot on the street before the rain hit, and the pavement didn’t dry entirely until everyone had packed up and headed home.
Riding on Pirelli race rain tires at Circuito Internacional do Algarve. Photo courtesy Triumph.
Still, for blasting along country roads and ripping around the Circuito Internacional do Algarve racetrack near Portimao, Portugal, the new Speed Triple is a really competent riding companion. Upgraded semi-active suspension, new electronic rider aids, and more power is a recipe for a good time, but it’s how they all work together that really matters.
What we learned in two days on the road and track is that Triumph engineers not only improved the motorcycle, but refined it so that every feature not only works on its own, but also works together to deliver a great ride. It’s fast, handles and rides well, and does so in a way that’s accessible. Beyond any individual technological advancement, that’s the big deal that stands out to me.
The 2025 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS in Granite/Performance Yellow. Photo courtesy Triumph.
Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS Technical Overview
New engine tuning, a new exhaust system and a new balancer strategy bumps the claimed output a bit. Horsepower goes to 180.5 bhp at 10,750 rpm and 94.4 lbs.-ft. of torque at 8,750 rpm, and the power goes through a six-speed transmission with clutchless up- and down-shifting en route to the fat 190/55 Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP V3 rear tire. Unchanged is the 1160cc displacement, the 90.0mm x 60.8mm bore and stroke, and the general architecture of the inline, three-cylinder, DOHC engine. Brembo Stylema brake calipers work with 320mm discs in the front and are controlled by an adjustable Brembo master cylinder and a cornering-sensitive ABS system.
The chassis remains the same for 2025, with a twin-spar/tubular-aluminum frame and an aluminum swingarm. An aluminum subframe helps keep the claimed curb weight to 438.7 pounds. An adjustable steering damper is fitted, but the biggest change is the new semi-active Ohlins Smart EC3 Objective Based Tuning interface that controls the 43mm inverted front forks and the Ohlins rear shock.
In short, the rider doesn’t select settings. The rider tells the system what they want–generally, more or less support in various phases of the riding process–and the electronic brain adjusts damping and selects the optimal settings to reach that goal. The suspension and engine work together, so that when selecting settings as the rider is riding, the suspension knows what gear the engine is in, throttle settings, etc. New spool-type damping valves in the forks and shock allow for faster adjustments over a wider setting range.
New electronic four-position wheelie control, engine braking modes, and brake slide assist are incorporated into the five ride modes available – Rain, Road, Sport, Track and the customizable Rider mode.
The bars are slightly higher and wider, there are new color schemes–Jet Black, Granite and Diablo Red, and Granite and Performance Yellow. There’s a new seat cowl and an emergency braking system that causes the stylish tail light to flash when the rider hits the brakes hard. American market suggested retail is $19,995.
Riding The Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS
I turned on the heated grips, threw a leg over the seat, and the bike immediately felt small-ish and really solid. The low, tubular bar position isn’t dramatically different than on the prior model, the pegs are mid-rear-set, and the bar-end mirrors are stylish and thankfully arched back over the grips, so they don’t add to the width of the machine — an important consideration when splitting traffic.
Twist the throttle and the engine feels big. There’s no other word to describe it. It’s a bit slower-revving than a supersport bike, but it pounds out torque at relatively low rpm, and while it’s revvy it’s not overly so. Triumph reps say the company wrote the origin story of the streetfighter with the 1994 Speed Triple 900, and big power is part of that narrative. And since there’s no replacement for displacement when it comes to creating power, Triumph engineers opted for big pistons moving through a big stroke. There’s just enough vibration to create a sense of character, the engine/intake noise is a unique growl, and even after the engine punches through a meaty mid-range, it still pulls to redline quickly.
It’s complete and glorious overkill on the street, but the steep, power-eating uphill front straight at the Portimao circuit puts any engine to the test. With a wet surface sapping my desire to really twist the throttle at the exit to the final corner, I was still able to get the Speed Triple to touch 248 kph on a soaking, wind-gusting straight. That’s just shy of 155 mph. Since plunging downhill into a wet Turn One at those speeds didn’t seem like a good idea, I was letting off the throttle early, so I’m pretty sure there’s more to come there.
The active suspension helped the bike feel remarkably planted on the street, especially given that the Pirelli SP V3 tires are really not primarily aimed at use in the wet. The suspension constantly adapts the compression and rebound settings, modulating the spikes in tire loading, which helps avoid breaking traction.
Michael Gougis on the wet track at Portimao, riding a Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS.
What I took away from riding the Triumph on the wet track was the feeling of confidence that the effective electronics suite delivered. Our bikes were set with Rain-mode traction control but Road-mode throttle mapping, which progressively gave us all 180 horsepower. As the day wore on, I got more and more aggressive with the throttle, with more and more lean angle (Pirelli technicians on hand for the Superbike World Championship tests the following day had installed full-on Pirelli soft racing rain tires, and those are magic) and harder on the brakes. We were braking hard enough to trigger the emergency warning tail light and dragging knees with rooster tails of water spraying from both wheels.
The bike never did anything sketchy, and given the circumstances, I’ll remember that for a long time. The bike felt like it had my back in a riding situation where I really wanted a wingman, and that allowed me to go faster than I would have felt comfortable going otherwise. But at the end of the day, streetfighters aren’t about lap times. They’re about emotion, feeling and experience, and that’s what Triumph delivers better than ever with the latest version of the Speed Triple.
At least it wasn’t actually raining during the pre-track-riding orientation tour of the circuit. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Triumph technicians wash one wave of Speed Triple 1200 RS bikes that had been out for the street ride. World Superbike teams are unloading and setting up for a two-day test immediately following the Triumph intro. Photo by Michael Gougis.
(Editorial note: America Garrett Gerloff did not ride his Puccetti Racing Kawasaki ZX-10 RR on Day One of the test.)
Rain played a central role at testing in Portimao for the second time this year, delaying the start of on track action in Day 1 at Portimao. Substantial rainfall overnight left the track very wet throughout the morning, preventing the first MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship riders from taking to the track until an hour after the scheduled start. As the track dried however, teams were able to take advantage of the day, with seven riders finishing within a second of the fastest time.
Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) and his team seem to be working out the problems from their M 1000 RR, ‘El Turco’ was fastest by a margin of more than half a second on the day. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing -Ducati) started slightly later than most of the grid but in another strong day at the office, matching Toprak’s top speed of the day of 305.9 km/h. With less than a tenth of a second separating them, Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) and Xavi Vierge (Honda HRC) impressed in their return to Portimao after testing here in late January.
After a disappointing Australian Round opener, Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) and his crew look to be making progress with their new M1000 RR. In his fifth lap of the day, ‘El Turco’ laid down a fastest lap of 1’42.428s, wrestling P1 from Remy Gardner. He would go on to shave off more and more time as the day continued and the track continued to dry off, improving his time to 1’40.543s, the only rider to crack the 1’40s mark. Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) looked to be still finding his footing with the new chassis of the M 1000 RR, the Dutchman finished in P11, with a time of 1’42.002s.
While Portimao’s Day 1 of Testing brought more manufacturer diversity than what was seen in Australia, Panigale V4R’s remained plentiful in the top 10. Bulega was again fastest among the Italian manufacturer’s riders with his 1’41.168s lap, and his teammate Alvaro Bautista did not participate in the day’s testing, however according to official channels, he will appear in Day 2. Danilo Petrucci was up around the podium the entire day, finishing in P5 and a time of 1’41.281s. Sam Lowes kept the ball rolling after his career-best performance at Phillip Island, this time landing a P9, 0.257s behind P8 with his time of 1’41.929s. Andrea Iannone finished in P12 after a late start to the day, finishing with a time of 1’42.074s. Yari Montella closed out the top 10 with his time of 1’41.987.
Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) was resurgent after an uncharacteristically quiet Australian Round. Locatelli’s fastest lap clocked in at 1’41.202s, just 0.034s slower than Nicolo Bulega in P2. Joining him in the top six, Remy Gardner bounced back in a big way from a disappointing home round in Australia, finishing P6 on the day and only 0.076s slower than Danilo Petrucci in P5. Gardner’s time of 1’41.357s made him one of 12 riders to break into the 1’41s mark. In P13, newcomer Augusto Fernandez logged a fastest lap of 1’42.373s. Fernandez suffered a fall in Turn 15 nearing the end of the session however he walked away uninjured from the incident and continued riding shortly after. Dominique Aegerter clocked in a fastest lap of 1’42.531s, earning him P14.
Only two places separated the two Bimota riders after Day 1 of testing in Portimao. Alex Lowes led the pair in P7, his fastest lap of 1’41.372s was just over two tenths of a second faster than his partner, Axel Bassani. For his part, Bassani landed just behind Lowes in P8 with a time of 1’41.672s, only 0.177s separating the two riders.
Vierge (Honda HRC) replicated the form he was displaying this preseason with an impressive P3 on the back of his 1’41.260s fastest lap. Next up for Honda HRC was test rider Borja Gomez, the fellow Spaniard logging a P15 result on a time of 1’42.722s. Just behind him in P16, Tarran Mackenzie (PETRONAS MIE Honda Racing Team) started later than others, at 13:20 and went on to land a time of 1’43.080s. Next up was Tetsuta Nagashima, (Honda HRC) who registered 70 laps, fastest among them being 1’43.220s. Zaqhwan Zaidi (PETRONAS MIE Honda Racing Team) continued to work on acclimating himself to the bike, logging a personal fastest lap on the day of 1’47.792s
Can Oncu and Aldi Mahendra (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Racing) had a stellar Day 1 at Portimao, P1 and P2 among WorldSSP riders. Oncu’s fastest lap was 1’44.423s, and 0.211s behind him was his teammate Aldi Mahendra, with a time of 1’44.634s. Yamaha’s R9 continues to distinguish itself, as P3 and P4 were also riders of the new Yamaha bike. Lucas Mahias (GMT94 – YAMAHA) was P3 in WorldSSP with his time of 1’45.215s. Following him, Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) finished P4 among WorldSSP riders with a 1’45.681s.
The top six in WorldSBK from Day 1 of the test at Portimao:
1. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) 1’40.543, 41 laps
2. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 1’41.168, 50 laps
3. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) 1’41.202, 50 laps
4. Xavi Vierge (Honda HRC) 1’41.260, 61 laps
5. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) 1’41.281, 41 laps
Marc Marques fastest in Friday practice. Photo courtesy Ducati Corse Team.
Marc Marquez led MotoGP World Championship practice Friday afternoon at Termas de Río Hondo, in Argentina. Riding his Lenovo Ducati Desmosedici GP25 on spec Michelin tires, the six-time World Champion turned a lap time of 1:37.295. Not only was that good enough to lead the 22-rider field, it was also good enough to eclipses his own 2014 All-Time Lap Record of 1:37.683.
Fabio Di Giannantonio was the best of the rest with a 1:37.430 on his Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team Ducati Desmosedici.
Alex Marquez was third at 1:37.496 on his BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP Desmosedici, making it three Ducatis in the front row.
Marc Marquez delivers on Friday, Bagnaia narrowly avoids Q1. The #93 danced to a familiar tune in Termas to end Day 1 on top from Di Giannantonio and Alex Marquez as every manufacturer finds Q2 form on Friday.
The #93 on top in Termas – we’ve heard it before, and it was a familiar story on Friday at the 2025 Gran Premio YPF Energía de Argentina. Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) tangoed his way to the timesheet summit in Practice as everyone chases the Spaniard’s GP25 tailpipes heading into Tissot Sprint Saturday. A late corker from Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) and a consistent Friday from Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini MotoGP) see the Italian and Spaniard sit as the title chase leader’s main early contenders, as Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) narrowly avoids another Q1 showing following a Turn 2 crash in the closing minutes.
HOW IT UNFOLDED ON FRIDAY
Just as he did in the morning outing, Marc Marquez quickly clambered his way to the Practice timesheets summit on Friday afternoon, with Johann Zarco (LCR Honda Castrol) and Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) keeping the #93 company up at the sharp end with 25 minutes left on the clock.
Having produced a more than fine day in Free Practice 1 and for the first half of Practice, Zarco’s weekend hit a bump when the Frenchman crashed unhurt at Turn 2. At this stage, Zarco was P3 behind Marquez and Bezzecchi, with Alex Marquez P4. With 20 minutes to go, Bagnaia was sat in P10, seven tenths away from his teammate.
One of the first riders to slot a fresh soft Michelin rear tyre in was Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing). The sophomore climbed to P2, 0.088s shy of Marquez’s effort, before the oldest lap record in MotoGP was bettered. Bezzecchi’s 1:37.510 was good enough to send Marc Marquez’s 2014 effort packing, as plenty of improvements started rolling in. Bagnaia and Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) were now P4 and P5, with Zarco now down in P8.
Bezzecchi’s lap record didn’t last long though. Marc Marquez put his name back next to the number one with a 1:37.438, with Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) shadowing the World Championship leader to help him leap up to P4.
Heading into the final five minutes, Bagnaia wasn’t desperate for a lap time but the Italian was P6. In other words, not safely into Q2 yet. And then, it was session over for the double MotoGP World Champion. Turn 2 bit, Bagnaia slid into the gravel, and that was all she wrote for the #63 who now had an anxious wait to see if he’d avoid a second consecutive Q1 appearance.
After his early session issues, Fabio Quartararo put his Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP machine in P5 to demote Bagnaia to P7. Binder and Zarco then shoved Bagnaia to P9 with less than a minute left, as Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) pinched a late P10 – but it wasn’t session done yet. A late Rins flyer saw Ogura get shuffled out the automatic Q2 places, as Bagnaia survived needing to go through Q1 by the skin of his teeth.
YOUR AUTOMATIC Q2 QUALIFIERS
Marquez’s final flying lap sees the six-time MotoGP World Champion sit over a tenth clear of the late improving Di Giannantonio, with Alex Marquez, Bezzecchi and Binder the top five at the end of play. Rins, Zarco and Quartararo make sure both Japanese manufacturers have something to shout about so far in Termas, as Acosta and Bagnaia scrape through. Crucial for both of those riders.
COMING UP: QUALI AND TISSOT SPRINT SATURDAY IN TERMAS
Storylines aplenty then heading into Saturday at the Argentina GP. Bagnaia will be wanting a better day at the office, Q1 will be a jungle – as always – with Ogura fronting the pecking order in the opening 15 minutes of qualifying, and then there’s the obvious question: can anyone stop Marc Marquez?
Find out if that answer is ‘yes’ in qualifying at 10:50 local time (UTC -3), before the second Tissot Sprint of the season rears its head at 15:00.
Manuel Gonzalez fastest in PR in Argentina. Photo courtesy Dynavolt Intact Team.
Manuel Gonzalez led Moto2 World Championship practice Friday afternoon at Termas de Río Hondo, in Argentina. Riding his Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP Kalex on Pirelli control tires, the Spaniard lapped the 2.99-mile (4.81 km) road course in 1:41.713, topping the field of 27 riders and breaking Alonso Lopez’s All-Time Lap Record of 1:42.472 from 2023.
Alonso Lopez was second-best with a time of 1:41.873 on his Team HDR Heidrun Boscoscuro.
Jake Dixon did a third-fastest 1:41.888 on his ELF Marc VDS Racing Team Boscoscuro.
American Joe Roberts finished Friday afternoon’s practice session 8th with a best time of 1:42.385 on his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex.
Gonzalez grabs Termas Day 1 honours. The Thai GP winner ends a red-flagged Moto2 session at the summit with Lopez and Dixon in tow.
World Championship leader Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) has hit the ground running in Termas de Rio Hondo as the Spaniard ended the red-flagged Moto2 Practice session at the top of the timesheets. Gonzalez’s 1:41.713 was 0.160s quicker than Alonso Lopez’s (Team HDR Heidrun) best time, but it was the #21’s crash on the exit of Turn 3 that signalled the premature end to Practice. Lopez was all OK after the crash, and it was fellow Boscoscuro rider, Jake Dixon (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team), who rounded out the top three.
Marcos Ramirez (OnlyFans American Racing) and Barry Baltus (Fantic Racing) are safely into Q2 after pocketing P4 and P5, with Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) in P6 – but that wasn’t the story of the session for the #44. In the closing stages, Canet suffered a big crash at Turn 11 but has been confirmed as fit for the remainder of the event. It wasn’t all smiles for one of the key names though, as Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team) suffered a dramatic fall at Turn 1, missing the remainder of the session and thus finding himself in P15 and going through Q1.
Get the full results to Moto2 Practice before Saturday’s qualifying day ignites!
David Almansa fastest in PR in Argentina. Photo courtesy Leopard Racing Team.
David Almansa led Moto3 World Championship practice Friday afternoon at Termas de Río Hondo, in Argentina. Almansa used his Pirelli-shod Leopard Racing Honda to lap the 2.99-mile (4.81 km) track in 1:46.981, which led the field of 26 riders and broke Sergio Garcia’s All-Time Lap Record of 1:48.429 from 2022.
Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Alvaro Carpe was second-best with a time of 1:47.345.
His teammate, Jose Antonio Rueda claimed the third and final spot on the front with a lap time of 1:47.451.
Almansa slams in lap record to head Carpe and Rueda on Day 1. The Spaniard leads a session for the first time in style, heading rookie sensation Carpe and Thailand winner Rueda.
David Almansa (Leopard Racing) heads the Moto3™ timesheets on Day 1 at Termas, topping a session for the first time in his career and with a new lap record. His advantage was impressive too, with 0.364 in hand over rookie Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo). Carpe already raised eyebrows in Thailand with a maiden podium first time out and at a venue he’d never previously ridden. Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) was third fastest as the Thai GP winner proved a key player once again, and was also second fastest in FP1.
Fourth goes to home hero Valentino Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3), who impressed to head a tightly packed group of riders where thousandths made the difference. Joel Kelso (LEVELUP-MTA), Ryusei Yamanaka (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI) and his teammate Angel Piqueras were next up, ahead of Scott Ogden (CIP Green Power), Dennis Foggia (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) and Buriram podium finisher Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing).
One notable name not heading straight through to Q1 is David Muñoz (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) as he ended Practice in P15 – and after topping FP1. But the #64 was involved in an incident with Foggia in the afternoon which remains under investigation for now. Muñoz already has a pitlane start here for causing a crash with Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse) in Thailand though, so qualifying won’t be his key focus. Lunetta too is another surprise who heads for Q1, as does Buriram polesitter Matteo Bertelle (LEVEL UP – MTA) after a crash in the afternoon in Argentina. The incident brought out the Red Flag briefly, but rider ok.
Check out the FULL RESULTS from the session and come back for more on Saturday as Moto3™ head out for another free practice in the morning before qualifying from 12:50 (UTC-3)!
Michael Gilbert will return to the FIM Endurance World Championship for the 24 Hours of Les Mans the Maco Racing Team. Photo by David Reygomdeau.
American Michael Gilbert Returns to FIM Endurance World Championship at 24 Hours of Le Mans with Maco Racing Team
Michael Gilbert is set to return to the FIM Endurance World Championship for the prestigious 24 Heures Motos at Le Mans, where he will once again partner with the Maco Racing Team—this time aboard a Yamaha YZF-R1 superbike in the premier EWC category.
Gilbert, who competed for the Maco Racing Team alongside fellow Americans Andrew Lee and Jason Pridmore at the 2024 8 Hours of Spa in the Superstock class, is eager to continue developing his endurance racing experience in one of the most demanding challenges in motorsport. Following a strong and exciting performance at Spa, the American is thrilled to step up to a Superbike in the premier EWC class and take on the 24 Heures Motos alongside Swedish ex-World Supersport rider Christoffer Bergman.
“Competing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans is a dream come true,” says Gilbert. “There’s no doubt this will be the toughest race I’ve faced so far. That said, I’m happy to be partnered with a long-standing team like Maco and to absorb as much as possible from its decades of
experience in the paddock. I’m also looking forward to teaming up with Chris Bergman, whom I got to know very well at Spa. I like to think that all of the team’s experience will be motivating when it’s time to saddle up for a stint in the middle of the night!”
This event also marks a major milestone for the Maco Racing Team, as it will be the team’s 20th consecutive appearance at the 24 Heures Motos. This achievement is a testament to the team’s commitment and dedication to the FIM Endurance World Championship—something Gilbert can draw from as he faces the challenges of such an intense race.
“It’s great for me to give an American rider the opportunity to experience the Endurance World Championship, especially the 24 Hours of Le Mans. When I think back to the days of Jason Pridmore and Doug Toland, I want to welcome Americans back to the paddock,” says Martin Kuzma, the owner of Maco Racing Team. “After his performance at Spa, I understood that Michael is a serious rider, and I trust him to take on the tricky conditions of Le Mans.”
The 24 Heures Motos at Le Mans begins on April 19th, also marking the beginning of the 2025 FIM Endurance World Championship. Gilbert is looking for support to compete in the entire championship with the Maco Racing Team, including the 8 Hours of Spa and 24 Hours of Bol d’Or.
For sponsorship and support opportunities, please contact [email protected]
Marc Marquez fastest in FP1 in Argentina. Photo courtesy Ducati Corse Team.
Marc Marquez topped MotoGP World Championship practice Friday morning at Termas De Río Hondo, in Argentina. Riding his Michelin-shod Lenovo Ducati Desmosedici GP25, the Spaniard turned a lap of 1:38.937 around the 2.99-mile (4.81 km) track and led the 22-rider field.
Frenchman, Johann Zarco was second-best with a 1:38.963 on his CASTROL Honda LCR RC213V.
The Spanish rider, Alex Marquez was third with a lap of 1:39.208 on his BK8 Gresini Racing Ducati Desmosedici.
Two-time MotoGP World Champion, Francesco Bagnaia finished 16th with a time of 1:40.288 on his Lenovo Ducati Desmosedici GP25.
Marquez charges to P1 in Termas FP1 ahead of Zarco. The Championship leader was back at the head of the field as MotoGP™ returns to Argentina, with less than a second covering the top ten.
The first MotoGP™ session in Argentina since 2023, the premier class hit the circuit for the first time during the weekend in tricky but drying conditions. Overnight rain had left the track damp but after Moto3™ and Moto2™’s Free Practice, slick tyres were donned throughout and lap times improving right the way through the 45-minute session. Carrying on his Buriram form, Championship leader Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) leading the charge in Termas.
Early tricky conditions soon abated and whilst the sun remained hidden, the track was soon rubbered in; Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) led the way for plenty of the session but Marquez was soon in his stride and in the final ten minutes, put in a string of fast laps to go P1 despite a big save at Turn 9. Teammate Francesco Bagnaia struggled on Friday morning in P14 but won’t be concerned as it’s often the case. Zarco took P2 with Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) once again in the top three in P3, ahead of Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team). Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) loves Termas and put himself and Aprilia in P5, aiming to once again challenge at the front.
There were three Hondas inside the top ten again as Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol) secured sixth and teammate Joan Mir in ninth. Splitting them, the top Yamaha of Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) and the top KTM of Maverick Viñales (Red Bull KTM Tech 3), ensuring all five manufacturers got representation inside the top eight. Bookending the top ten, Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) on his maiden MotoGP™ voyage at the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit.
That’s all for FP1 so check out the results, Practice up next at 15:00 Local Time (UTC – 4).
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screen-readers are able to read, comprehend, and enjoy the website’s functions. As soon as a user with a screen-reader enters your site, they immediately receive
a prompt to enter the Screen-Reader Profile so they can browse and operate your site effectively. Here’s how our website covers some of the most important screen-reader requirements,
alongside console screenshots of code examples:
Screen-reader optimization: we run a background process that learns the website’s components from top to bottom, to ensure ongoing compliance even when updating the website.
In this process, we provide screen-readers with meaningful data using the ARIA set of attributes. For example, we provide accurate form labels;
descriptions for actionable icons (social media icons, search icons, cart icons, etc.); validation guidance for form inputs; element roles such as buttons, menus, modal dialogues (popups),
and others. Additionally, the background process scans all the website’s images and provides an accurate and meaningful image-object-recognition-based description as an ALT (alternate text) tag
for images that are not described. It will also extract texts that are embedded within the image, using an OCR (optical character recognition) technology.
To turn on screen-reader adjustments at any time, users need only to press the Alt+1 keyboard combination. Screen-reader users also get automatic announcements to turn the Screen-reader mode on
as soon as they enter the website.
These adjustments are compatible with all popular screen readers, including JAWS and NVDA.
Keyboard navigation optimization: The background process also adjusts the website’s HTML, and adds various behaviors using JavaScript code to make the website operable by the keyboard. This includes the ability to navigate the website using the Tab and Shift+Tab keys, operate dropdowns with the arrow keys, close them with Esc, trigger buttons and links using the Enter key, navigate between radio and checkbox elements using the arrow keys, and fill them in with the Spacebar or Enter key.Additionally, keyboard users will find quick-navigation and content-skip menus, available at any time by clicking Alt+1, or as the first elements of the site while navigating with the keyboard. The background process also handles triggered popups by moving the keyboard focus towards them as soon as they appear, and not allow the focus drift outside it.
Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.
Disability profiles supported in our website
Epilepsy Safe Mode: this profile enables people with epilepsy to use the website safely by eliminating the risk of seizures that result from flashing or blinking animations and risky color combinations.
Visually Impaired Mode: this mode adjusts the website for the convenience of users with visual impairments such as Degrading Eyesight, Tunnel Vision, Cataract, Glaucoma, and others.
Cognitive Disability Mode: this mode provides different assistive options to help users with cognitive impairments such as Dyslexia, Autism, CVA, and others, to focus on the essential elements of the website more easily.
ADHD Friendly Mode: this mode helps users with ADHD and Neurodevelopmental disorders to read, browse, and focus on the main website elements more easily while significantly reducing distractions.
Blindness Mode: this mode configures the website to be compatible with screen-readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack. A screen-reader is software for blind users that is installed on a computer and smartphone, and websites must be compatible with it.
Keyboard Navigation Profile (Motor-Impaired): this profile enables motor-impaired persons to operate the website using the keyboard Tab, Shift+Tab, and the Enter keys. Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.
Additional UI, design, and readability adjustments
Font adjustments – users, can increase and decrease its size, change its family (type), adjust the spacing, alignment, line height, and more.
Color adjustments – users can select various color contrast profiles such as light, dark, inverted, and monochrome. Additionally, users can swap color schemes of titles, texts, and backgrounds, with over seven different coloring options.
Animations – person with epilepsy can stop all running animations with the click of a button. Animations controlled by the interface include videos, GIFs, and CSS flashing transitions.
Content highlighting – users can choose to emphasize important elements such as links and titles. They can also choose to highlight focused or hovered elements only.
Audio muting – users with hearing devices may experience headaches or other issues due to automatic audio playing. This option lets users mute the entire website instantly.
Cognitive disorders – we utilize a search engine that is linked to Wikipedia and Wiktionary, allowing people with cognitive disorders to decipher meanings of phrases, initials, slang, and others.
Additional functions – we provide users the option to change cursor color and size, use a printing mode, enable a virtual keyboard, and many other functions.
Browser and assistive technology compatibility
We aim to support the widest array of browsers and assistive technologies as possible, so our users can choose the best fitting tools for them, with as few limitations as possible. Therefore, we have worked very hard to be able to support all major systems that comprise over 95% of the user market share including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Opera and Microsoft Edge, JAWS and NVDA (screen readers).
Notes, comments, and feedback
Despite our very best efforts to allow anybody to adjust the website to their needs. There may still be pages or sections that are not fully accessible, are in the process of becoming accessible, or are lacking an adequate technological solution to make them accessible. Still, we are continually improving our accessibility, adding, updating and improving its options and features, and developing and adopting new technologies. All this is meant to reach the optimal level of accessibility, following technological advancements. For any assistance, please reach out to
