Ducati must be wary of Aprilia, particularly Marco Bezzecchi, as they head into the Argentina MotoGP. Yamaha’s inconsistency raises concerns, while Honda’s performance was moderately competitive in Thailand. The Argentina race will provide key insights into the true capabilities of these teams.
Ducati is being alerted to a significant threat as they prepare for the second MotoGP round of 2025 in Argentina. Following their success at the season opener in Thailand, competitors are becoming increasingly aware that Aprilia may pose a serious challenge. Marco Bezzecchi, who secured victory at the 2023 Argentina MotoGP, along with rookie Ai Ogura, has demonstrated formidable performance, indicating that Aprilia could be a major contender despite Jorge Martin being sidelined due to injury.
According to Lewis Duncan on the Crash MotoGP podcast, Aprilia shows promise with its strong front-end performance and agility. Bezzecchi’s impressive start to the season has revealed a crucial weak point in his qualifying, an area he must improve. He is beginning to harness the bike’s capabilities; although he qualified seventh in Thailand, he is focused on enhancing his performance as he adjusts his riding style from Ducati to Aprilia. Duncan emphasizes the importance of the opening day in Argentina, noting that a strong performance on Friday can set the tone for the entire weekend.
There remains uncertainty surrounding the performances of Yamaha and Honda. Despite early pre-season optimism, Yamaha struggled to deliver in Thailand. Lewis Duncan noted that the reversion to the normal tyre carcass could aid their performance, suggesting that Argentina might reflect Yamaha’s true capabilities more accurately. The outcome in Argentina will be telling; a competitive showing would indicate progress, while a lackluster performance would signify further challenges ahead.
Honda, which faced difficulties last year, was moderately competitive in Thailand, with Johann Zarco finishing seventh. Duncan remarked that Honda lacked traction and top speed, but managed a respectable performance under the circumstances. Future races in Austin and Spain are expected to be more favorable for Honda, while Argentina will provide insights regarding the efficacy of the Japanese manufacturers against the unique track conditions, which might present additional challenges.
In summary, Ducati is advised to remain vigilant of Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi as a formidable adversary at the Argentina MotoGP. The performance of Yamaha remains uncertain and hinges on whether they can convert pre-season expectations into tangible results. Honda is showing cautious improvement, yet they must continue to refine their capabilities in preparation for upcoming races. Overall, the Argentina MotoGP will be pivotal in determining the competitive landscape for the season.
Original Source: www.crash.net
