MotoGP Grand Prix Argentina preview: Marc Marquez challengers, ‘dark horse’ Johann Zarco and Pecco Bagnaia ‘concern’

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Racing kicks off at the Grand Prix Argentina on Saturday with a Sprint Race, before Sunday brings all the thrills and spills of a MotoGP Grand Prix. All the action is live on TNT Sports and discovery+, and our expert pair of Michael Laverty and Suzi Perry were on hand to preview the main talking points after an eventful Friday practice session. Can anyone threaten favourite Marc Marquez?

Marquez obliterates lap record, Bagnaia 'survives' in dramatic finish to Argentina GP practice

Video credit: TNT Sports

Another thrilling weekend of racing awaits when the second round of the MotoGP season kicks into gear at the Grand Prix Argentina.

Friday’s practice session offered some hints at what to expect over the next two days, when plenty of precious championship points will be on offer in Saturday’s Sprint Race and Sunday’s Grand Prix.

Marc Marquez, winner of both races in Thailand last weekend, finished top in practice, with his team-mate Francesco Bagnaia squeezing through to Q2 in 10th after a late crash.

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Fabio Di Giannantonio, Alex Marquez, Marco Bezzecchi and Brad Binder completed the top five, while there were seven different teams represented in the top 10.

All the action will be live on TNT Sports and discovery+, with an elite team of experts on the ground to analyse every moment.

Suzi Perry and Michael Laverty considered some of the major talking points coming up, including who could challenge Marc Marquez at the top, whether it’s time to be concerned about Bagnaia, and where the dark horse contenders might come from.

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'Five or six challengers' for Marquez

Perry: "It was tight today, wasn’t it? Although Marc did seem to have a clear advantage once again."

Laverty: "[Marquez] can always up the ante and find that extra one or two tenths around here. We know it’s his secret ability to roll through Turn 2 and Turn 6 and gain that small advantage.

"But when you look at it, it’s close across the top 10 and there are potentially five or six challengers for him on Sunday."

Pecco lacking 'spark'

Perry: "I’m quite concerned about Pecco [Bagnaia], because he doesn’t look his normal self.

"Yes, he’s a slow builder, but taking that crash in the last session will not have helped his confidence. It’s only Friday, we’ve got time, but there hasn’t been a spark yet this weekend."

Laverty: "Or this season. When you look back at Thailand, yes, he delivered [finishing third], but not quite Pecco from his Championship-challenging seasons.

"I don’t know [if it’s] the defeat to Jorge Martin last year in the championship race, then you’ve got Marc who pounded him throughout testing and round one, then you turn up here and everyone is already asking questions about if he can challenge Marc this year."

Perry: "The thing is he doesn’t like this track anyway. He has never won at this track. In a way, it’s not a surprise, but the concern is definitely starting already."

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Varied top 10 includes 'dark horses'

Perry: "It’s great that there are so many manufacturers in the top 10 because there are some dark horses in there."

Laverty: "Johann Zarco is probably the darkest of them all. I love that he’s looking like the Zarco of old when he got the victory around Phillip Island [in 2023].

"This circuit is so similar to Phillip Island in the way you attack it. He did crash today, so he’s on the limit, but he's there or thereabouts.

"It’s so good we’ve got the Yamahas, KTMs and Aprilia of Bezzecchi in the top 10, Ai Ogura just outside. Every manufacturer has got a challenger right now.

"The nature of this racetrack is going to keep them together. Especially in the Sprint, I think we’re going to have a bunch race."

Perry: "We need those manufacturers to keep Ducati honest."

'About to get his guitar out!' - Zarco 'cool as always' as he smoothly struts out of crash

Video credit: TNT Sports

Alex Marquez wants to 'keep beating Pecco'

Perry: "Alex is doing great. He’s got the momentum from Thailand and ended up third-quickest today.

"He was second best in Thailand. Of course, he wants to win the World Championship, but he knows his brother is the favourite this year.

"I wonder if his target is to keep beating Pecco, keep being that second Ducati."

Laverty: "He’s right in the mix every session. Whether it’s a slightly longer run or the time attack, he’s got the pace.

"Again, he just looks confident. He’s got his Moto2 Championship-winning form behind him. It’s taken him a while to get there in MotoGP, but he’s there with the tools at his disposal.

"He was always under the shadow of Marc at Gresini. Now he sees his brother jump to the factory team and he wants that other factory seat.

"There are rumours that Pecco is talking to Honda for the future. I don’t know if Pecco will ever leave the factory Ducati, if that option is still there for him. If Alex is best of the rest, everyone will be coming after him."

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Bezzecchi or KTMs could spring a surprise

Perry: "Bezzecchi has won here before. Yes, he was then on a Ducati, and now he’s on an Aprilia, but Aprilia got their first victory here with Aleix Espargaro [in 2022].

"So, if Bezzecchi does well, is he a dark horse? Maybe, because he has to fight the might of the Ducatis. It depends on how you define a dark horse."

Laverty: "I agree, because Ai Ogura was the surprise package in Thailand but now we’re seeing him on the edge of the top 10.

"First-time visit to this venue on a MotoGP bike. We’re not going to call the Aprilias a dark horse this weekend, I think they are a proper threat."

Suzi: "Maybe the KTMs?"

Laverty; "Yeah, hopefully the threat is Brad Binder back on form. There were positive signs in the afternoon session and Pedro Acosta is right there as well."

Watch and stream the 2025 MotoGP season live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

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