The long wait to return to South America is over as Tech3 KTM Factory Racing team is set to travel to Termas de Río Hondo this week for the Gran Premio Michelin® de la República Argentina, for the first time since 2019. Indeed, the Argentina Grand Prix was removed from the calendar for two consecutive years due to the COVID-19 outbreak, without forgetting the huge fire that destroyed most of the paddock area in February 2021, meaning that the circuit organization had to completely renovate it to be able to welcome back the MotoGP class.

After a few days of rest following an intense and eventful Grand Prix of Indonesia, Remy Gardner is set to return to Termas de Río Hondo, one of his favorite layouts of the year, but this time with a MotoGP engine. The Australian has always had good results on this circuit, but it will be another story this time for his third race in the MotoGP class. His teammate Raul Fernandez will also continue to learn and take experience for his first MotoGP race in Argentina. The Spanish rider produced a tremendous effort in Mandalika on his first-ever full wet race, and is looking forward to meeting again with his team and discovering a new layout with his KTM RC16.

The action will start on Friday, April 1 with Free Practice 1 at 10:50 local time (GMT-3), followed by Free Practice 2 at 15:05. The action will continue on Saturday with Free Practice 3 at 10:50 local time, followed by the final free session at 14:25. The first big moment of the weekend will be at 15:05 when Qualifying starts as both Remy and Raul will aim to improve their qualifying performances in order to get better grid positions. The Gran Premio Michelin® de la República Argentina is scheduled at 15:00 (GMT-3) on Sunday, April 3, for 25 laps, at the end of which the two rookies are hoping to finish in the points.

Remy Gardner

Championship: 19th

Points: 1

"We had two challenging first races in Qatar and Indonesia because the MotoGP class is high level and there is a big gap to which I’m still trying to adapt. Back in Doha, we managed to get a point, and in Mandalika we had a decent pace but the wet race in Mandalika was complicated for me. Anyway, it is good experience in the bag in order to improve for the next races. We are now going to Argentina, which is one of my favorite tracks, so I hope that we can have a good weekend and a great race."

Raul Fernandez

Championship: 21st

Points: 0

"The Grand Prix of Indonesia was a positive weekend as the whole team did a great job. We are taking it step by step, the feeling with the bike is getting better, so the results will come with time and experience. I am happy with my team and everyone involved at KTM. We are in a good position to keep improving and pushing, so we are headed to Argentina feeling very motivated and I am sure that we can have a good weekend there."

Hervé Poncharal

Team Manager

"After a few well deserved rest days following the Indonesian Grand Prix, Tech3 KTM Factory Racing team is ready and excited to fly to Argentina, for the first time since 2019. We always had great results at Termas de Río Hondo, it has a great layout, and I have to say that we have always enjoyed racing in Argentina. It is also great to be coming back following the fire incident that occured at the circuit and we hope to find a paddock and a circuit in an even better state than last time we came.

Last time we were in Termas, the KTM bikes performed well, and I can not wait to see the progress made by our two rookies. The Qatar and Indonesia Grand Prix were two tough races, including one in full wet conditions, so they both have been very important for their learning-curves.

We have great memories of Remy in Termas when he was riding with us on our Mistral Moto2. He produced a great race on a drying circuit, so hopefully he will be able to replicate his good feelings. Again, it will be almost a complete discovery for our two riders because everything is different with a MotoGP engine, but I believe that both Raul and Remy will be competitive this weekend, and get closer to Miguel Oliveira and Brad Binder."