The title favourites vs the home hero

After a three-way battle for the lead in Qatar became a duel, the stage is set for Argentina

Jorge Martin (Del Conca Gresini Moto3) began 2018 on the top step, but it was far from easy for the now two-time GP winner, pushed all the way by Aron Canet (Estrella Galicia 0,0). And although the two dueled it out to the end, that’s not how it began – because Enea Bastianini (Leopard Racing) was well in the fight before a crash. Now we’re ready to race in Argentina, will that be a similar story?

As ever, there’s a legion of leading talents looking to get in their way. Qatar podium finisher Lorenzo Dalla Porta (Leopard Racing), Fabio Di Giannantonio (Del Conca Gresini Moto3) and Niccolo Antonelli (SIC58 Squadra Corse) to name a few, as well as Japanese duo Kaito Toba (Honda Team Asia) and Ayumu Sasaki (Petronas Sprinta Racing), who both came home in impressive top tens in Qatar.

One man who’ll also be pushing hard to mount a podium challenge is home hero Gabriel Rodrigo (RBA BOE Skull Rider). Opening the season with a solid top five, the Argentine rider is off to a flier and will have the support of the home crowd behind him as he guns for glory.

Last year it was eventual Champion Joan Mir taking the win at Termas de Rio Hondo, so history won’t repeat itself. But can John McPhee (CIP – Green Power) and Jorge Martin repeat their podiums, or go one better? Or will Canet and Bastianini strike back? Find out on Sunday 8th April.