The last passage of MotoGP in Argentina dates back three years, an eternity: it was March 31, 2019, and the Spaniard Marc Marquez offered victory in front of the Italian Valentino Rossi.

The last time these two motorsport legends finished on a podium together.

Since then, the pandemic has caused the cancellation of the last two Argentine editions.

And since then, everything has changed.

Rossi retired after seven premier class titles.

As for Marquez, titled for the sixth time in the elite after a magnificent 2019 season, he has been marked since 2020 by injuries and repeated falls.

Fallen violently in the warm-up in Indonesia two weeks ago, he withdrew and will still be absent in Argentina.

The 29-year-old Spaniard, again suffering from diplopia (double vision problems which had handicapped him at the end of 2021), could also miss the GP of the Americas next week (April 10).

In 2019, Quartararo discovered the highest level.

In Argentina, without making a splash, in 8th place, he nevertheless signed his first points.

Before revealing himself, climbing the podium seven times and winning six pole positions.

"It's not my favorite circuit, but I think we can do a good job", relativizes the one who has never climbed on the Argentine podium, even in lower categories.

Yamaha rider Fabio Quartararo briefed by his team before the Indonesian GP in MotoGP on the Kuta Mandalika circuit, March 20, 2022 SONNY TUMBELAKA AFP / Archives

After an eighth place in Qatar, Quartararo settled the sights in the rain in Indonesia with a second place, to position himself third in the world, three points behind the surprise leader, Enea Bastianini (Ducati-Gresini).

"In Indonesia, I felt much better on the bike, he confirms. We tried something new, and it paid off. I'm very curious to see if it will also be the case here (on the Termas circuit by Rio Hondo, Editor's note)."

A victory would do him the greatest good: the 22-year-old Frenchman has been weaned since August 29, 2021 in Great Britain, eight races already without winning the bet.

Tight two-day program

To get into the Argentinian bath, the drivers will have to wait until Saturday.

Part of the freight, sent from Indonesia, did not arrive at its destination, forcing the organization to adapt.

The drivers will follow free practice 1 and 2 in the morning on Saturday (from 10.35 a.m. local time, 3.35 p.m. French time), free practice 3 (4.25 p.m., 9.25 p.m.) then qualifying (5.05 p.m., 10.05 p.m.) in the afternoon.

"It's a shame, we cross our fingers that everything will go well tomorrow," reacted Quartararo, specifying that Yamaha was not affected.

Frenchman Fabio Quartararo during a press conference on March 31, 2022 at the Temas de Rio Hondo circuit, two days before the MotoGP Grand Prix of Argentina JUAN MABROMATA AFP

MotoGP is now awaiting a final shipment of gear, grounded in Kenya on Friday if the trip via Nigeria and Brazil goes smoothly.

"It will be hard for the teams who have not received everything, the work which is usually done in 48 hours will have to be done in one night", noted the other Frenchman on the set, Johann Zarco, 3rd in Indonesia behind its compatriot and whose Pramac team is not affected either.

"The feeling on the Ducati is quite good but I'm sure it can still be better, he continued. The podium at Mandalika gives a boost, but we'll see, because with the program changes, the Saturday will be long."

In front of Zarco, 5th in the world (24 points), the Portuguese Miguel Oliveira, winner in Indonesia, will want to continue in Argentina.

The 27-year-old rider benefits from a KTM in form and is two points behind "Quarta" (25 against 27).

The other KTM, South African Brad Binder, is 2nd with 28 points, behind leader Bastianini (30 pts).

Portuguese Miguel Oliveira riding his KTM launched towards his victory in Indonesia at Kuta Mandalika, March 20, 2022 BAY ISMOYO AFP / Archives

Argentina could also be an opportunity for 2021 vice-world champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati) to start his season: the Italian is only 20th with a single point.

Elsewhere, Marquez will be replaced by Honda's usual joker, Germany's Stefan Bradl.

The Japanese Takaaki Nakagami (Honda-LCR) forfeited him, positive for Covid-19.

© 2022 AFP