Manuel Gonzalez was the man to beat during Moto2 World qualifying Saturday at Termas de Río Hondo, in Argentina. The Spaniard rider topped qualifying session with a new lap record time. Riding his Pirelli-shod LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP Kalex, Gonzalez navigated the 2.99-mile (4.81 km) course in 1:40.870, breaking his own’s 2025 All-Time Lap Record he set on Friday afternoon of 1:41.713.
The Brit Jake Dixon was second-best with a 1:41.070 on his ELF Marc VDS Racing Team Boscoscuro.
Spaniard Marcos Ramirez claimed the third and final spot on the front row with a 1:41.096 on his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex.
His teammate and American Joe Roberts finished Saturday qualifying 16th with a best time of 1:41.474.
Gonzalez makes it two for two with Termas pole. The Championship leader heads Dixon and Ramirez in Argentina.
Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) has continued his stunning start to 2025 as he takes pole in Argentina, edging out Jake Dixon (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) and Marcos Ramirez (OnlyFans American Racing). With some Thai GP frontrunners in Q1 and only some making it through, it was close as ever in the Triumph-powered class.
Q1: The late rush to move through
There were plenty of fast faces not often in Q1 who had their eye on a place in the pole shootout. Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) led much of the session before Celestino Vietti (Team HDR Heidrun) and then Alex Escrig (KLINT Forward Factory Team) pipped him. That put more at risk of not moving through and late on, the Turkish rider was denied the chance as Brazilian Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team) and Czech rider Filip Salač (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) just edged him out.
Q2: Two for two
After the first runs it was Gonzalez leading the way ahead of Dixon, with Vietti, Ramirez and Moreira next up. But as they headed back out, Dixon improved first to take provisional pole, and then Escrig slotted into second. Gonzalez was on a fast one though and the #18 took it back with just over a minute left on the clock, putting in a 1:40.870. Ramirez then made another move to take over in third, joining Dixon and polesitter Gonzalez on the front row.
THE GRID
Behind that trio, the second row is an all-Q1 affair: Escrig, Moreira and Salač. Alonso Lopez (Team HDR Heidrun) heads Row 3 from Darryn Binder (ITALJET Gresini Moto2), with Vietti in P9. Aron Canet (Fantic Racing Lino Sonego) completes the top ten.
For full results click here – and tune in for more Moto2 on Sunday from 13:15 (UTC-3)!
Matteo Bertelle earned pole position during Moto3 World Championship qualifying Saturday at Termas de Río Hondo, in Argentina. Riding his LEVELUP-MTA KTM on Pirelli control tires, Bertelle turned a lap time of 1:46.034. Not only was that good enough to lead the 26-rider field, it was also good enough to eclipse David Almansa’s 2025 All-Time Lap Record he set Friday afternoon at 1:46.981.
Angel Piqueras was the best of the rest with a 1:46.266 on his FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI KTM, and his teammate Ryusei Yamanaka claimed the third and final spot on the front row with a 1:46.330.
Bertelle goes from Q1 to stunning second pole of 2025. The Italian heads Piqueras and Yamanaka after taking a clean sweep of Q1 and Q2.
Matteo Bertelle (LEVELUP-MTA) was a surprise name in Q1 after Friday in Argentina, but the Italian definitely came out swinging on Saturday. He headed Q1 and then went out in Q2 and did it again, so he’ll head the grid for the second time in two Grands Prix. FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI pairing Angel Piqueras and Ryusei Yamanaka complete the front row at the Gran Premio YPF Energia de Argentina.
Q1: To rain or not to rain…
Ominous raindrops in the air ahead of qualifying made it a tense session but Bertelle got the job done by a stunning margin of 0.462 to head through. He was joined by Marcos Uriarte (GRYD – MLav Racing), Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) and Adrian Cruces (CIP Green Power), with one surprise being Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse) as the Italian didn’t make the cut. He gave it a good go though, and on his final fast lap in worsening conditions pulled of a bucking bronco of a save – just losing the chance to move up the order and through to Q2.
Q2: And I’ll do it again The weather held for slicks and another early stunner came in from Bertelle that put the Italian provisional pole, ahead of Riccardo Rossi (Rivacold Snipers Team) and rookie Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo). Heading out for their second runs though, drama hit for Rossi as he slid out and collected Scott Ogden (CIP Green Power).
In the meantime, Carpe improved, Thai GP winner Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) likewise, and then Piqueras leapfrogged into second. Friday’s fastest David Almansa (Leopard Racing) then moved into P2 before Piqueras hit back, with Yamanaka the last big mover – up into fourth and then into third on his last lap around.
THE GRID
Behind Bertelle, Piqueras and Yamanaka, Almansa heads Row 2 joined by rookie sensation Carpe and points leader Rueda. Then it’s Rossi, Joel Kelso (LEVELUP – MTA) and home hero Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3), with his teammate Joel Esteban completing the top ten.
For full results click HERE and get ready for lights out at 12:00 (UTC-3) on Sunday!
Marc Marquez earned pole position to close out MotoGP World Championship qualifying on Saturday at Termas de Río Hondo, in Argentina. Riding his Lenovo Team Ducati Desmosedici GP25, the six-time MotoGP World Champion broke the All-Time Lap Record of 1:37.295 he set Friday afternoon with a time of 1:36.917 around the 2.99-mile (4.81 km) circuit during Qualifying Two (Q2) on Saturday.
Again, his brother Alex was second-quickest with a 1:37.163 lap on his BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP Desmosedici GP24, and Johann Zarco claimed the third and final spot on the front row with a 1:37.205 on his Castrol LCR Honda RC213V.
Row-two qualifiers included two-time MotoGP World Champion and Marc Marquez’s teammate Francesco Bagnaia (1:37.268), 2024 Rookie of the Year Pedro Acosta on his Red Bull KTM Factory Racing RC16 (1:37.274), and Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Ducati’s Fabio Di Giannantonio (1:37.286).
Marquez storms to sensational Termas pole with first-ever 1’36 lap. #93 vs #73 continues in Argentina as Zarco puts Honda on the front row for the first time since 2023.
Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) has now taken back-to-back poles for the first time since 2019, with another stunner coming in from the #93 at the Gran Premio YPF Energia de Argentina. His 1:36.917 is the first ever 1:36 of the venue, a new lap record, and puts him quarter of a second clear at the top.
Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP), who was close on Friday too, is next on the chase in second, with Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) making some magic in third for Honda’s first front row since 2023 – just 0.042 off the #73 ahead.
STORY OF QUALIFYING: Q1’s scrap to get to Q2
A hot lap early on bagged Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) a slot at the top with Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) in hot pursuit in P2 provisionally, but the final four minutes were going to be dramatic as everyone hit the track for their shot at going into Q2. It was all over at Turn 2 for Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda LCR) who fell and would therefore not improve, whilst Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) replicated his fellow rookie a lap later, likewise missing out on a Q2 passage. On the first lap of his second run, Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) came to the fore and went P2, demoting rival Miller to P3 and joining Morbidelli in the pole shootout.
Q2 CORKER: Marc on fire to annihilate lap record
The business end of qualifying: Q2 ignites and straight away, the lap record was obliterated by none other than Marc Marquez, who was fractionally outside the first-ever 1’36s motorcycle lap of the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit. A huge performance by Johann Zarco (LCR Honda CASTROL) put him provisionally on the front row, what would be a first for Honda since 2023 at Mugello.
With the final five minutes beckoning, it was full throttle to try and better their lap time. Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) was following his brother, whilst Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) salvaged P4. However, it was his teammate Marquez who was lighting up the time screens; on his penultimate flying lap, he set the first and only-ever 1’36 lap of the Termas de Rio Hondo track. A 1’36.917 sees him go from pole, his first back-to-back poles since 2019’s Austrian and British Grands Prix. Brother Alex secured P2 and Zarco clung on to a first Honda front row and his first since 2023’s season-closing Grand Prix in Valencia.
FIREWORKS BEHIND: dark horses in top places
It was fourth place for Pecco who seeks to make a traditional fast start off the line but he’ll have ‘El Tiburon’ Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) for company too, with the #37 putting himself right in amongst the sharp end of the grid. Completing the second row, Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team), was less than a tenth of a second off the front row.
Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) secured his best qualifying of the season so far in P7, ahead of Q1 ascendant Morbidelli. Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) goes from P9, one place ahead of Mir, with the 2020 World Champion making it two Hondas in the top ten. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) round out the Q2 field, with Rins taking his best grid slot since Sepang last year.
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!
Manuel Gonzalez will start tomorrow race from pole position. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Manuel Gonzalez was the man to beat during Moto2 World qualifying Saturday at Termas de Río Hondo, in Argentina. The Spaniard rider topped qualifying session with a new lap record time. Riding his Pirelli-shod LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP Kalex, Gonzalez navigated the 2.99-mile (4.81 km) course in 1:40.870, breaking his own’s 2025 All-Time Lap Record he set on Friday afternoon of 1:41.713.
The Brit Jake Dixon was second-best with a 1:41.070 on his ELF Marc VDS Racing Team Boscoscuro.
Spaniard Marcos Ramirez claimed the third and final spot on the front row with a 1:41.096 on his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex.
His teammate and American Joe Roberts finished Saturday qualifying 16th with a best time of 1:41.474.
Gonzalez makes it two for two with Termas pole. The Championship leader heads Dixon and Ramirez in Argentina.
Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) has continued his stunning start to 2025 as he takes pole in Argentina, edging out Jake Dixon (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) and Marcos Ramirez (OnlyFans American Racing). With some Thai GP frontrunners in Q1 and only some making it through, it was close as ever in the Triumph-powered class.
Q1: The late rush to move through
There were plenty of fast faces not often in Q1 who had their eye on a place in the pole shootout. Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) led much of the session before Celestino Vietti (Team HDR Heidrun) and then Alex Escrig (KLINT Forward Factory Team) pipped him. That put more at risk of not moving through and late on, the Turkish rider was denied the chance as Brazilian Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team) and Czech rider Filip Salač (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) just edged him out.
Q2: Two for two
After the first runs it was Gonzalez leading the way ahead of Dixon, with Vietti, Ramirez and Moreira next up. But as they headed back out, Dixon improved first to take provisional pole, and then Escrig slotted into second. Gonzalez was on a fast one though and the #18 took it back with just over a minute left on the clock, putting in a 1:40.870. Ramirez then made another move to take over in third, joining Dixon and polesitter Gonzalez on the front row.
THE GRID
Behind that trio, the second row is an all-Q1 affair: Escrig, Moreira and Salač. Alonso Lopez (Team HDR Heidrun) heads Row 3 from Darryn Binder (ITALJET Gresini Moto2), with Vietti in P9. Aron Canet (Fantic Racing Lino Sonego) completes the top ten.
For full results click here – and tune in for more Moto2 on Sunday from 13:15 (UTC-3)!
Matteo Bertelle charged from Q1 to Pole Position. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Matteo Bertelle earned pole position during Moto3 World Championship qualifying Saturday at Termas de Río Hondo, in Argentina. Riding his LEVELUP-MTA KTM on Pirelli control tires, Bertelle turned a lap time of 1:46.034. Not only was that good enough to lead the 26-rider field, it was also good enough to eclipse David Almansa’s 2025 All-Time Lap Record he set Friday afternoon at 1:46.981.
Angel Piqueras was the best of the rest with a 1:46.266 on his FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI KTM, and his teammate Ryusei Yamanaka claimed the third and final spot on the front row with a 1:46.330.
Bertelle goes from Q1 to stunning second pole of 2025. The Italian heads Piqueras and Yamanaka after taking a clean sweep of Q1 and Q2.
Matteo Bertelle (LEVELUP-MTA) was a surprise name in Q1 after Friday in Argentina, but the Italian definitely came out swinging on Saturday. He headed Q1 and then went out in Q2 and did it again, so he’ll head the grid for the second time in two Grands Prix. FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI pairing Angel Piqueras and Ryusei Yamanaka complete the front row at the Gran Premio YPF Energia de Argentina.
Q1: To rain or not to rain…
Ominous raindrops in the air ahead of qualifying made it a tense session but Bertelle got the job done by a stunning margin of 0.462 to head through. He was joined by Marcos Uriarte (GRYD – MLav Racing), Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) and Adrian Cruces (CIP Green Power), with one surprise being Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse) as the Italian didn’t make the cut. He gave it a good go though, and on his final fast lap in worsening conditions pulled of a bucking bronco of a save – just losing the chance to move up the order and through to Q2.
Q2: And I’ll do it again The weather held for slicks and another early stunner came in from Bertelle that put the Italian provisional pole, ahead of Riccardo Rossi (Rivacold Snipers Team) and rookie Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo). Heading out for their second runs though, drama hit for Rossi as he slid out and collected Scott Ogden (CIP Green Power).
In the meantime, Carpe improved, Thai GP winner Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) likewise, and then Piqueras leapfrogged into second. Friday’s fastest David Almansa (Leopard Racing) then moved into P2 before Piqueras hit back, with Yamanaka the last big mover – up into fourth and then into third on his last lap around.
THE GRID
Behind Bertelle, Piqueras and Yamanaka, Almansa heads Row 2 joined by rookie sensation Carpe and points leader Rueda. Then it’s Rossi, Joel Kelso (LEVELUP – MTA) and home hero Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3), with his teammate Joel Esteban completing the top ten.
For full results click HERE and get ready for lights out at 12:00 (UTC-3) on Sunday!
Marc Marquez will start the race from pole position. Photo courtesy Ducati Corse Team.
Marc Marquez earned pole position to close out MotoGP World Championship qualifying on Saturday at Termas de Río Hondo, in Argentina. Riding his Lenovo Team Ducati Desmosedici GP25, the six-time MotoGP World Champion broke the All-Time Lap Record of 1:37.295 he set Friday afternoon with a time of 1:36.917 around the 2.99-mile (4.81 km) circuit during Qualifying Two (Q2) on Saturday.
Again, his brother Alex was second-quickest with a 1:37.163 lap on his BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP Desmosedici GP24, and Johann Zarco claimed the third and final spot on the front row with a 1:37.205 on his Castrol LCR Honda RC213V.
Row-two qualifiers included two-time MotoGP World Champion and Marc Marquez’s teammate Francesco Bagnaia (1:37.268), 2024 Rookie of the Year Pedro Acosta on his Red Bull KTM Factory Racing RC16 (1:37.274), and Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Ducati’s Fabio Di Giannantonio (1:37.286).
Marquez storms to sensational Termas pole with first-ever 1’36 lap. #93 vs #73 continues in Argentina as Zarco puts Honda on the front row for the first time since 2023.
Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) has now taken back-to-back poles for the first time since 2019, with another stunner coming in from the #93 at the Gran Premio YPF Energia de Argentina. His 1:36.917 is the first ever 1:36 of the venue, a new lap record, and puts him quarter of a second clear at the top.
Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP), who was close on Friday too, is next on the chase in second, with Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) making some magic in third for Honda’s first front row since 2023 – just 0.042 off the #73 ahead.
STORY OF QUALIFYING: Q1’s scrap to get to Q2
A hot lap early on bagged Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) a slot at the top with Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) in hot pursuit in P2 provisionally, but the final four minutes were going to be dramatic as everyone hit the track for their shot at going into Q2. It was all over at Turn 2 for Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda LCR) who fell and would therefore not improve, whilst Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) replicated his fellow rookie a lap later, likewise missing out on a Q2 passage. On the first lap of his second run, Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) came to the fore and went P2, demoting rival Miller to P3 and joining Morbidelli in the pole shootout.
Q2 CORKER: Marc on fire to annihilate lap record
The business end of qualifying: Q2 ignites and straight away, the lap record was obliterated by none other than Marc Marquez, who was fractionally outside the first-ever 1’36s motorcycle lap of the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit. A huge performance by Johann Zarco (LCR Honda CASTROL) put him provisionally on the front row, what would be a first for Honda since 2023 at Mugello.
With the final five minutes beckoning, it was full throttle to try and better their lap time. Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) was following his brother, whilst Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) salvaged P4. However, it was his teammate Marquez who was lighting up the time screens; on his penultimate flying lap, he set the first and only-ever 1’36 lap of the Termas de Rio Hondo track. A 1’36.917 sees him go from pole, his first back-to-back poles since 2019’s Austrian and British Grands Prix. Brother Alex secured P2 and Zarco clung on to a first Honda front row and his first since 2023’s season-closing Grand Prix in Valencia.
FIREWORKS BEHIND: dark horses in top places
It was fourth place for Pecco who seeks to make a traditional fast start off the line but he’ll have ‘El Tiburon’ Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) for company too, with the #37 putting himself right in amongst the sharp end of the grid. Completing the second row, Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team), was less than a tenth of a second off the front row.
Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) secured his best qualifying of the season so far in P7, ahead of Q1 ascendant Morbidelli. Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) goes from P9, one place ahead of Mir, with the 2020 World Champion making it two Hondas in the top ten. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) round out the Q2 field, with Rins taking his best grid slot since Sepang last year.
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!
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July 3, 2025
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