Marc Marquez dominance continues, Francesco Bagnaia frustrated - The story of Grand Prix Argentina

Marc Marquez got the better of a battle with his brother Alex to claim victory at Grand Prix Argentina. Jake Dixon had a great day in Moto2, but it was a frustrating afternoon for Francesco Bagnaia. The TNT Sports panel feel Bagnaia is feeling the heat from his new Ducati team-mate Marquez. Watch and stream the 2025 MotoGP season live on TNT Sports and discovery+

Grand Prix Argentina Highlights as Marc Marquez fends off brother Alex to take race win

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Another MotoGP race, another win for Marc Marquez, who followed up his victory in Thailand with success at Grand Prix Argentina.

What happened?

Marquez was made to battle hard for his win, as his brother Alex made a pass on Lap 4 and held the lead until Marc found a way past on Lap 21, which set him on the way to the chequered flag.

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Martin absence continues

Defending champion Jorge Martin attended the pre-race press conference via video link and gave an injury update, saying he was not likely to return until after the Grand Prix Qatar in April - and his absence left Marc Marquez "comfortable".

The weekend started with Marc Marquez putting down a marker with the fastest time in the first practice session, while his team-mate Francesco Bagnaia showed an Achilles heel - according to TNT Sports expert Neil Hodgson.

'Making mistakes and overriding' - Bagnaia under scrutiny in FP1

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Marc Marquez continued to impress and "obliterated" the lap record on his Ducati Levovo.

It was a tough start to the weekend for Pedro Acosta, who put his bike in the gravel to cause an "extra three hours' work" for his team.

'Confident' Marquez starts from P1 in opening practice att Argentina GP

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The Marquez brothers dominated qualifying on Saturday, with Marc leading home his brother Alex, with Johann Zarco taking third.

Marc Marquez was in a league of his own as he set a lap record in qualifying.

'He's gone into the 1'36" bracket' - Marc Marquez with another lap record

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The Marquez show continued in the Sprint, with Marc edging out Alex to secure the win.

It was a victory described as like "the Marc of old" by TNT Sports expert Michael Laverty.

Highlights: Marquez claims first Argentina win in six years with sprint victory

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Marc Marquez was pleased with how he held off his sibling to secure the win in the Sprint race.

"It was a very difficult victory, because Alex was pushing a lot," he said. "I was pushing, and the rhythm was amazing, because we were most of the race on 0.37, but I pushed some laps a little bit more, but always, the gap will never increase.

"So I just keep pushing. Keep pushing the last laps. I think he started to slow down a bit, because the gap between third place was a lot, but tomorrow will be tough to fight with him, because he's super constant."

Marquez on 'very difficult' sprint race victory ahead of 'tough' battle with brother Alex

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Neil Hodgson, Suzi Perry and Laverty had a pre-race look at Marc Marquez, and were in unison with regard to his "genius".

"He is the greatest rider I have ever seen," Hodgson said. "That includes Valentino Rossi."

'We are seeing a genius' - Is Marquez the GOAT?

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It was not all about Marquez, as Jake Dixon shone from the front in Moto2 - with the British rider delivering a comfortable victory for his Elf Marc VDS Racing team.

Dixon's win made a huge impression on Hodgson, who described it as a "world champion's ride".

Dixon celebrates Moto2 victory at Grand Prix Argentina

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Back to the main event, and Marc Marquez's dominance continued as he secured his second win of the season from as many races.

It was not smooth sailing, as his brother Alex passed him mid-race and showed excellent pace, but Marc hunted him down and made an overtake with four laps to go and powered away for the win.

Grand Prix Argentina Highlights as Marc Marquez fends off brother Alex to take race win

Video credit: TNT Sports

The race was impressive from the Marquez brothers, as were their celebrations, which were synchronised to near perfection.

Marc Marquez and brother Alex pull off synchronised celebration at Grand Prix Argentina

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Man and machine working perfectly - Hodgson

Marquez was made to work hard for the win in Argentina, but how he set up and executed a race-winning overtake of his brother Alex impressed Hodgson.

"We get a good opportunity to see not only how good the bike is working, but also the rider as well," Hodgson said. "Man and machine working together, this is a perfect example.

"You are not going to get a much better example. Man and machine working perfectly."

‘Man and machine working perfectly’ - Hodgson’s analysis of Marc Marquez’s winning overtake

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Marc Marquez was delighted to secure the win, but admitted to being a little tentative when trying to pass his brother.

"It was difficult to attack your brother," Marc Marquez said. "I tried one time and just released the brakes as I was not sure to stop the bike. The second time I prepared better."

Victory was the 90th of his career, and moved him alongside another Spanish great in Angel Nieto.

"I am super happy to equal Angel Nieto," he said. "This victory is for him and his family as he was and is super important for Spanish motorcycling. It is a special honour to equal him."

‘Today was hard’ - Marc Marquez relieved to make late pass for victory at Grand Prix Argentina

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Alex Marquez said he would take confidence from leading the race for a large chunk of it.

He said: "Maybe I could change the strategy a little, but leading a race gives me more confidence for the future and I am super happy.

"I am super happy but this is only the second race and we have many more things to do."

Alex Marquez 'proud' about second-placed finish at Grand Prix Argentina

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Franco Morbidelli climbed off his sickbed to take third spot, and will look to build on his first podium in four years.

"It is just the medicine I needed," Morbidelli said. "It is a great feeling, the team did amazing.

"The team did an amazing job improving the bike.

"We stayed tight after yesterday. Today’s result is the best behind the top two guys and is a great reward and a great feeling."

‘It is just the medicine I needed’ - Morbidelli defies illness to take third place in Argentina

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Francesco Bagnaia came home in fourth, but he was deeply frustrated with how his race went.

"I am not happy," Bagnaia said. "We struggled all the weekend.

"I think more than fourth was difficult for me today.

"I need to improve, to do a step to find my feeling from last year."

'I am not happy’ - Bagnaia frustrated with fourth place at Grand Prix Argentina

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'He does not look like himself' - Hodgson on Bagnaia

The TNT sports panel of Laverty, Hodgson and Perry feel Marc Marquez’s arrival at Ducati has impacted on Bagnaia.

"He does not look like himself," Hodgson said. "I think a lot of it is the shockwave of having your man [Marquez] next door to you. That is the reality of having the pressure and all that expectation that Marc brings with him, the fanfare.

"We’ve seen Marc back it up on track, there’s all that, and it’s knocked the wind out of his sails."