The hottest MotoGP in history arrives with its show (and its victims) in Argentina

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The world of motor sport paid close attention to the experience of MotoGPwhich in recent years has enjoyed a growing trend in terms of public approval, which has massively multiplied with each engagement of the queen category of two wheels.

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the figure of Valentino Rossiliving myth of sport in general, supported the rise of MotoGP, which also had great shows, spectacular duels between Worth AND Marc Marquez, when the Spanish were the absolute kings of the business. All this has been added to the excellent work on digital platforms which has made it possible to reach the most requested public: the youngest.

But nothing lasts forever. Neither good nor bad. And MotoGP felt the blow of Rossi’s unsurprising, but overwhelming, retirement in 2022. And in turn Márquez’s absences, due to injuries and health problems, have caught the attention of the fans.

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Luca Marini, from Ducati, in this Friday's tests.  Photo: AP

Luca Marini, from Ducati, in this Friday’s tests. Photo: AP

The category has doubled its bet for 2023. He took up the controversial idea of ​​the Formula 1 and it was more so, since this season there are two races per weekend, with the entry of Sprintshort race (usually half that of Sunday), which adds vertigo and excitement to Saturday.

The season opener was in Portugal. And there, the balance was more worrying. Several riders were injured due to crashes and aggressive manoeuvres, which conditioned the Argentine Grand Prix. There were four pilots who suffered injuries and did not travel to the country. Among them, the great active figure: Marc Márquez.

The World Championship has always had great duels. And no one was left behind, however. But it is also unprecedented that so many injured people have remained stranded in front of a Grand Prix, due to the particular attitude with which they took to the track a week ago.

Marco Bezzecchi greets the fans at Termas de Río Hondo.  Photo: AP

Marco Bezzecchi greets the fans at Termas de Río Hondo. Photo: AP

That’s it The MotoGP presents itself at the Termas de Río Hondo circuit with 18 ridersjust one more than the category record set in 2011, when only 17 bikes were on the grid.

Pol Espargaro suffered a fractured vertebra; enea bastianinibeaten by Luca Marini and with scapula problems; Miguel Oliveirastruck by the controversial maneuver of marchezwho in turn broke the first metacarpal of his right hand, while, due to the same accident, George Martin suffered a broken toe.

After the last weekend, where there were 11 crashes between the Sprint and the last race in Portugal, opinions differ.

“We are the same riders always racing in the same places. I don’t see anything new to change the way we ride”said the current champion, Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaiaupon arrival in Argentina.

Furthermore, Aleix Espargaròbrother of the injured Pol, was annoyed by the safety regulations of the Portuguese circuit, even if he didn’t mention this particular situation of so many injured: “Pol was very lucky, very lucky. Because you can’t imagine the impact he had on his head, even with one of the best helmets in the paddock, you can’t imagine what his head was like.”he expressed.

And he detailed: “He broke his jaw completely, from his mouth to his ear. He couldn’t hear anything because his jaw was pushing against his ear. Imagine the impact that had. This is unacceptable. A pilot can’t hit the wall, this it’s totally unacceptable.” .

World champion Francesco Bagnaia in action at Termas.  Photo: AFP

World champion Francesco Bagnaia in action at Terme. Photo: AFP

Given this panorama, the work carried out by INPROTUR, Visit Argentina and the government of Santiago del Estero has its fruits. Anticipating any contingency, actions have been taken (many of them in Brazilian cities) to continue the arrival of tourism to Termas de Río Hondo, during this MotoGP weekend in Argentina.

Termas de Río Hondo sets the date so that the MotoGP does not coincide with Easteras they cannot overlap due to tourist demand in a city that beats to the rhythm of its visitors.

The over 20,000 seats in the 180 hotels are ready to welcome the fans who arrive not only from different parts of Argentina in real motorcycle caravans, but also from neighboring countries, Brazil first and foremost, but also from Chile, Uruguay, Bolivia, Paraguay and Peru.

Faced with an inflationary scenario that affects any budget, it is known that the conditions are not ideal for those who undertake the adventure of reaching the city of Santiago. “Everything is expensive when prices rise frequently. We are a couple who share a passion for motorcycles and perhaps leave behind other tastes to travel to Termas. But it’s uphill to pay for fuel, hotel and meals for 4 or 5 days in total, from the time we leave the house until we return.”, commented Juan Pablo, who together with his partner, Valeria, came from Rosario. A sampling of the thousands who parade their bikes on a weekend unlike any other in the spa town.

On the track, the eyes of the world of speed will be focused on the Santiago track, to closely follow whether what happened in Portugal was just a coincidence or whether it is the start of a very hot season in the world of two wheels.

Aleix Espargaró, the fastest

The Spanish rider Aleix Espargaró, this Friday, during practice for the GP of Argentina of the MotoGP, at the Termas de Río Hondo circuit (Argentina).  Photo: EFE/Juan Ignacio Roncoroni

The Spanish rider Aleix Espargaró, this Friday, during practice for the GP of Argentina of the MotoGP, at the Termas de Río Hondo circuit (Argentina). Photo: EFE/Juan Ignacio Roncoroni

The Catalan Aleix Espargarò, with Aprilia, was the fastest in the MotoGP training session held at Termas de Río Hondo, for the first day of the Argentine GP. The Italian marque dominated, as second place went to his teammate Maverick Viñales, 162 thousandths of a second away.

Behind were the five Ducatis, led by the Italian Marco Bezzecchi. The weather accompanied the activity, rain being forecast, which despite being cloudy throughout the afternoon, did not affect the activity.

Saturday will be the most complex day, according to the new Sprint system. Free practice will take place at 10.10; at 10.50 the classification, while the race, at 15, over 12 rounds. After practice on Sunday at 9.45am, the competition will start at 2.00pm.

Thermal springs of Río Hondo, Santiago del Estero. Special for Clarion.

Source: Clarin

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