The four-rider Honda HRC contingent of Tim Gajser, Ruben Fernandez, Ferruccio Zanchi and Valerio Lata have arrived in Argentina, ready to take on the challenges that the first round of the 2025 World Motocross Championship present.
Held at a new venue in Cordoba, Argentina, it will be a brand-new circuit for all four riders, as well as a brand-new country for the team’s most recent addition – Lata. Previously, we’ve headed to Patagonia for the Argentina round, but Cordoba, the second-largest city will now host the exciting prospect of the world’s best motocross riders battling it out for the first time in 2025.
Gajser is heading there as one of the favourites for the MXGP crown, after narrowly missing out on the title in 2024. His pre-season races have gone very well, and the Slovenian knows how to manage what will likely be another long, gruelling campaign. Solid points, and staying healthy is the key, but the #243 knows that winning motos, and the extra points that comes with that, will also be critical.
For fellow CRF450R teammate, Fernandez, his goals are to solidify his status as one of the fastest riders in the class and challenge for wins and podiums on a regular basis. Having won in Argentina in 2023, this is one of his favourite countries to visit, and he’ll be motivated to put on a good showing in front of his Spanish-speaking fans.
Returning with the team for his second year in the MX2 class is Zanchi, who now has a much better understanding of what to expect in the world championships. The young Italian put in a solid season last time out, finishing 10th overall and having several good rides, but now the hope is to be fighting for positions nearer to the front of the field and trying to get himself on the podium.
Joining him on-board another Honda CRF250R is Lata, who moves up from a successful EMX career into the bright lights of the Honda HRC awning. The Italian has won races in pretty much every year of his career so far, but this will be his biggest challenge yet and the team has stressed that this first year will be one of learning and building. He has never raced outside of Europe before, so Argentina will be a completely new experience, however he is ready to embrace everything that comes his way and show that he has the speed to mix it up with the best MX2 riders in the world.
With the travelling complete, all that awaits the riders now is to take to track and see what this new circuit holds for them. Early photos and video show an impressive set-up, but there is a threat of storms over the weekend so everyone has fingers crossed that we can escape the worst of the weather and just enjoy the spectacle of the 2025 MXGP World Championships.
TIMETABLE (Local Timing UTC-3 )
SATURDAY: 09:15-9:45 Blåkläder Start Practice MX2, 09:45-10:15 Blåkläder Start Practice MXGP, 10:45 MX2 Free Practice, 11:15 MXGP Free Practice, 13:20 MX2 Time Practice, 14:00 MXGP OAT Time Practice, 15:25 MX2 RAM Qualifying Race, 16:10 MXGP RAM Qualifying Race.
SUNDAY: 10:25 MX2 Warm-up, 10:45 MXGP Warm-up, 12:15 MX2 Race 1, 13:15 MXGP Race 1, 15:10 MX2 Race 2, 16:10 MXGP Race 2.
Tim Gajser 243
The first race is always a tricky one because you want to come in a show everyone the speed you have, but you also have had to balance yourself and know that it is a long season, and you don’t want to peak too early. It is nice that we are going to a new venue, even if I really liked Villa La Angostura, so I’m excited to see what the circuit looks like and start this 2025 MXGP season off strongly.
Ruben Fernandez 70
It is a shame that we don’t race in Villa La Angostura anymore, because that is where I won my first GP, but I always enjoy coming to Argentina because it is like a home away from home with all the Spanish speaking. My pre-season races didn’t quite go to plan, and last week in Spain wasn’t ideal with that crash into the back-marker, but I’m okay and just really wanting to get this season underway.
Ferruccio Zanchi 73
I’m excited to start my second season in the MX2 class as I feel like I learnt a lot last year and now I can put that into practice. Even for races like this, just knowing how to prepare for the long journey and what to expect when I get to Argentina, even if this is a new track. We’ve worked hard over the winter, and I’ve changed a few things to try and improve myself, so now is the moment to see how all that work has gone.
Valerio Lata 18
It’s been a good pre-season for me, working with the team and enjoying the Internazionali d’Italia races. Things have gone well, but we’ve also learnt some stuff which will be useful for the long season ahead. I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself with expected results, especially as travelling to Argentina will be a whole new experience for me, I just want to go out and ride well and build up throughout the season.
Marcus Pereira de Freitas
HRC General Manager – MXGP
We’ve been building for this race for a long time it seems and now we will see all that work come to life. Argentina isn’t an easy place for round one, and this year we’re heading to a different track so that means everyone starts from zero. Still, we’ve been checking out the progress and it seems like they’ve done a good job there. All four riders are coming into the race prepared and excited to get going and we will do our best to give them the right opportunity to show the world what they are capable of.
@shotbybavo
