Jorge Martin (Ducati-Pramac) and Alex Rins (Suzuki) complete an all-Spanish podium as reigning French world champion Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha) finished 8th in the first Argentine GP since 2019 - the previous two editions that have been canceled due to the pandemic.

Another Spaniard, Joan Mir (Suzuki), follows in 4th place, ahead of the Italian Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati), vice-champion in title, who signs his best score of the year in 5th place.

With nine different drivers on the podium in the first three races, this season promises to be particularly tight.

Espargaro now has a 7 point lead over South African Brad Binder (KTM) and 9 over former surprise leader Enea Bastianini (Ducati-Gresini), winner of the inaugural GP in Qatar.

Overall, Rins and Quartararo are 4th and 5th in the world, respectively 9 and 10 points behind the leader.

Espargaro, who on Saturday signed the very first pole position for his Aprilia team in MotoGP, has long awaited this first success in the elite.

In 283 starts in all world categories, he had never won... Hence the tears visible behind the visor, once the line was crossed.

And those of his brother Pol, a Honda driver, who crashed and watched the big brother's victory from his garage.

Starting first, Espargaro nevertheless spent almost the entire race behind Martin.

After two unsuccessful attempts, it was on the 21st lap out of 25 that he managed to overtake his 24-year-old compatriot.

Patience finally paid off.

"I'm really happy, it's been a very long wait," he reacted hotly, still in tears, "it was in any case a special race because it was my 200th in the premier class".

"Everything was in place, we were solid on the pace, but it was double pressure because everyone was telling me it was going to be easy, but it wasn't... (he pauses to take his brother in his arms) and finally the last laps were my strongest".

"I thank everyone at Aprilia, I think we deserve it, we really deserve it, and the other incredible thing is that we are leading the championship... it's just a dream!" who joined the Italian brand in 2017.

Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia) in the wheel of his runner-up Jorge Martin (Ducati) on the Rio Hondo Thermal Baths circuit, April 3, 2022 Juan Mabromata AFP

It is also the first victory for Aprilia in the premier category.

The Italian brand made its return to MotoGP in 2015, after a first period in the premier class from 1994 to 2000 (500cc) then from 2002 to 2004 (MotoGP).

Logistic problems

On the French side, if Quartararo limited the breakage, Johann Zarco (Ducati-Pramac), fell on the 6th lap when he was ahead of "Quarta", then for 12th place.

Six-time MotoGP champion Marc Marquez, winner of the last Argentine edition in 2019, withdrew because of his double vision problems, awakened by a very violent fall during the "warm-up" (warm-up) in Indonesia on March 20.

French Ducati-Pramac rider Johann Zarco falls violently on the Rio Hondo Thermal Baths circuit, April 3, 2022 Juan Mabromata AFP

The race concludes a particular weekend, the first free practice having started more than 24 hours late due to the late delivery of part of the freight.

One of the five cargo planes carrying the equipment (including motorcycles) from Indonesia, where the second round was taking place on March 20, was grounded for a long time in Kenya for a technical problem before arriving Friday evening.

After a sleepless night for the mechanics of the teams concerned, such as Ducati-Gresini, Ducati-VR46 or even KTM-Tech3, the two practice sessions (against four usually) and the qualifications were organized during a Saturday marathon.

A race against the clock for the mechanics that the paddock hopes not to relive next week, for the Grand Prix of the Americas in Austin (United States), fourth round of a record season of 21 races.

In Moto2, the Italian Celestino Vietti, of the VR46 team (founded by newly retired Valentino Rossi), won his second victory of the season and consolidated his position as leader.

In Moto3, Spaniard Sergio Garcia won and took first place overall.

© 2022 AFP