RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP returns to Argentina with positive mindset

The second Grand Prix of 2025 will take place this coming weekend at the Autódromo Termas de Río Hondo in Argentina. It marks the first time since 2023 that the MotoGP paddock returns to the South American country. After a challenging season opener in Thailand, the RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP team is highly motivated to make a stronger comeback in Argentina.

With the Argentine Grand Prix absent from last year’s calendar, the entire paddock is eager to return to Termas de Río Hondo. The circuit is 4.81 kilometres long, featuring nine right-hand turns, five left-hand turns and a straight of over a kilometre. The first Grand Prix at this venue was held in 2014.

Despite the absence of a Grand Prix in 2020, 2021, and 2024, the Autódromo Termas de Río Hondo is not new territory for either Ayumu Sasaki or Zonta van den Goorbergh. Both the Japanese and Dutch riders have performed well here in the past and are determined to showcase their place in the Moto2 class once again this weekend, just as they did during winter testing.

Ayumu Sasaki:
“I cannot wait to go to Argentina and start another race weekend. It was a disappointing race in Thailand and I think we can do better. We have to focus again and try to do our job in the best possible way, from Friday onwards. If we do that well, the reward will come on Sunday. Let’s get ourselves to where we can and should be, then hopefully we can return home with a smile.”

Zonta van den Goorbergh:
“It has been quite a while since we last raced in Argentina. I’m looking forward to it, and we will take the positive aspects from Thailand with us, hoping to get on the right path and avoid the issues we faced that weekend. Let’s make sure we bring home a strong result.”

Jarno Janssen – RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP team manager:
“We’re heading to Argentina for the second Grand Prix of the season, a race we unfortunately couldn’t attend last year. It’s another long journey from Europe, but it’s a circuit where we’ve performed well in the past and one that could suit us well again this time. The result in Thailand was disappointing of course, and we have analysed everything thoroughly. We need to take the positives—also from the winter tests—and focus on what lies ahead this weekend.”

There is a 4-hour time difference with Argentina. The race weekend at the Autódromo Termas de Río Hondo kicks off with the first free practice session on Friday morning, followed by the official practice session in the afternoon, which will determine the 14 riders who advance directly to Q2. After a second free practice on Saturday morning, qualifying will begin at 13:45h local time (17:45h Central European time) in the afternoon. The 21-lap race is scheduled to start on Sunday afternoon at 13:15h local time (17:15h CET).