This is a unique party. Those belonging to the tribes motorized by two wheels, wearing jackets, helmets and customized motorcycles, gathered for a unique event in this part of the world, such as the arrival of MotoGP.

And there appear others, those who see with the edge of their eyes the lifestyle shared in the air on the face, with a strange sensation of freedom with different landscapes “passing” on the edges. Others, those who may not have ridden a motorcycle, but are nevertheless attracted by a unique color, coexist in an unforgettable experience.

“The Argentine MotoGP Grand Prix is ​​the most important tourist event in the country”, the executive secretary of INPROTUR (National Institute for Tourism Promotion), Ricardo Sosa, without hesitation. Clarion.

The impact on the region has been impressive. A tourist town like Rio Hondo Hot Springs crowded. Not only were the more than 14,000 available beds in the hotel occupied, which became nearly 25,000 because in many places beds were being added to the rooms. But there are also those without registration, such as the houses or apartments on offer this strange weekend, also filled. And from there, nearby cities, such as Santiago del Estero, or even San Miguel de Tucumán, also benefit from motorcycle fever.

The city has clearly collapsed. For three days of activity, the last time MotoGP visited Termas de Río Hondo, there was a total movement of 179,571 people on the racetrack, so the flow of movement was approximately 60,000 people daily. For this year, despite the absences of great idol Valentino Rossi (he retired at the end of 2021) and former champion Marc Márquez (he was injured last week in Indonesia), the attendance was even bigger.

“This is a quantifiable event. We have a survey of visitors, who don’t just come from all over the country. The influx of foreigners is very important. The category itself already carries 2,000 people. And for the public, thousands have come from other countries, such as Chile, Paraguay, Bolivia, Ecuador, Uruguay, Ecuador and Colombia. But most of the foreigners came from Brazil, with about 15,000, ”Sosa explained.

According to official estimates, the revenue from tourism is between 900 and 1,100 million pesos. “We are very happy because this is the first big event after the pandemic, and the result was very successful”, Commented the representative of INPROTUR, who explained:“ This race corresponds to 2020, which was not held due to the situation we experienced at Covid. And the good thing is that a few months ago, we were able to extend the link with Dorna (the company that manages MotoGP rights) for another three years, so we can continue to enjoy this great show ”.

Those who come are traveling the country

Although it is estimated that the average stay is 3.5 nights per tourist in the province of Santiago del Estero, at the national level it just isn’t sold out over the MotoGP weekend. Thousands of stories with visitors arriving on motorcycles, many more in trailers or motorhomes (campsites are also full) taking advantage of the journey to get to know other points in Northern Argentina.

In Misiones, the passage of Brazilians towards Termas de Río Hondo can be seen, as in Tucumán, La Rioja, Catamarca, Salta and Jujuy with other visitors, as part of a journey that also brings benefits to others. regional economy.

“The province of Santiago del Estero has made a lot of effort after the fire in the racetrack boxes last year. A reconstruction plan has been carried out so as not to miss this date, which in addition to being the most important date for motor sports in Argentina, is also important for tourism in our country ”, Sosa highlighted.

Together, INPROTUR, together with the Country’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports, as well as the Santiago del Estero Tourism area, which are permanently available for press needs, have joined efforts to promote the MotoGP GP .

“Fortunately, we have an extension of the contract for another three years,” said Santiago del Estero provincial governor Gerardo Zamora, while shaking hands with Carmelo Ezpeleta, head of Dorna, the company that manages MotoGP destinations. “For us, as long as they welcome us, we are very happy to visit Argentina every year,” the Spanish leader closed, sealing an agreement that, without a doubt, marked a paradigmatic change in the history of tourism in the region.

Formula 1 in Termas de Río Hondo?

Can the Termas de Río Hondo racetrack accept Formula 1? The recurring question was posed at the press conference. “For Formula 1, the racetrack needs a homologation. But since no one sees, it is not sought. Obviously, if someone considers that they can organize a Grand Prix, we will make it available”, replied Santiago governor Gerardo Zamora.

Meanwhile, Ricardo Sosa, head of INPROTUR (National Institute for Tourism Promotion), spoke on behalf of the National Government: “There are always steps for the arrival of Formula 1 in Argentina. And always have intentions in the medium or long term. But you have to study the moments and the events ”.

In light of all this, given the importance that MotoGP represents in Argentina, both economic and sporting, as it is the largest motorsport event in the country, the absence of the Minister of Tourism and Sports, Matías Lammens, is noteworthy -attention. , despite the fact that in October last year he announced in an act here in Termas de Río Hondo that he would witness the great two -wheel spectacle for the first time.

The classification, for Aprilia

Saturday ended with a historic MotoGP record. Aprilia, the classic Italian brand, gained pole position for the first time in the top category of the world of motorcycling, interacting with the Spaniards Aleix Espargarowhich set the best qualifying time for the third round of the Argentine Grand Prix.

Espargaró earned 1m37s688/1000, in a classification that placed Aprilia, the Italian brand founded in 1945, whose origins were focused only on bicycles, although it later specialized in scooters, in great showcase. In the mid -1970s, he ventured into sports motorcycles.

Aprilia belongs to the Italian industrial group Piaggio and its headquarters are in Noale, in Veneto.

Whatever this partial victory represents for Aprilia over the weekend, this is the third time the rider from Granollers has achieved pole position in MotoGP, as he achieved it in Assen, in 2014, and in Barcelona, In 2015.

Another detail refers to successes. He is looking for his first success in the great motorcycling category. Perhaps it will be at Termas de Río Hondo, where this Sunday he will complete 200 competitions in the maximum division.

In second place, at 151 thousandths of a second, was Jorge Martin, while third, at 431/1000, finished with Luca Marini, both with Ducati.

Pol Espargaró put together a good job at Honda and went to fourth place, followed by Maverick Viñales (Aprilia) and Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha). The champion experienced the annulment of his last lap.

The Top Ten was completed with Suzukis by Alex Rins and Joan Mir, and behind Johann Zarco (Ducati) and Takaaki Nakagami (Honda).

Argentina’s MotoGP Grand Prix will take place from 3:00 pm, after the Moto2 and Moto3 competitions.