Two weeks after the ill-fated Grand Prix of the Americas, the Team GO&FUN Honda Gresini heads to Argentina this weekend for the third round of the season, on the new Termas de Rio Hondo circuit. A good opportunity to make up the disappointment suffered in Texas, where both riders were forced to retire due to a crash.
Alvaro Bautista is one of only four riders (along with Cal Crutchlow, Stefan Bradl and Hector Barbera) to have already visited the Argentinian track aboard a MotoGP bike, during the tests performed last year in July: the Spaniard will therefore start the weekend with a slight advantage, which intends to use to be able to notch up on Sunday his first World Championship points, after two retirements collected in the first two races.
His team mate, Scott Redding, will instead discover a whole new circuit aboard his Open Class Honda RCV1000R: a challenge that fascinates the young rookie, usually at ease at first contact with circuits he has never seen before.
Alvaro Bautista
“During the tests carried out last year on the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit I could immediately appreciate some very technical parts of the track: I like it a lot, because it’s characterized by many fast corners that suits my riding style. However, it should be said that last year we were able to take advantage of only one day of testing, because we had rain on the second day: therefore we haven’t been able to work on the bike set-up. I also remember a very dirty track, as it had just been finished, anyway I believe that it will be okay for the race. In this Grand Prix our priority is to finish the race without taking risks: after the first two races we are still at zero points, so this time we absolutely need to collect some points”.
Scott Redding
“The fact that the track of Termas de Rio Hondo is unknown to anyone - apart from the few riders who carried out the tests last year - I think it will make things a bit easier for me, because we will all start the weekend on the same level. In addition, I enjoy a lot riding on a new track: it’s always an interesting challenge trying to be fast on a new circuit, it’s a new motivation. I look forward to start the first free practice, to see how the bike works on this track”.
Go&Fun Honda Gresini Press Release
