It’s a Loris Baz conqueror who has finished with his first day at Termas de Rio Hondo. Already last year, he achieved a good thirteenth place in Argentina at the end of qualifying. A trend which seems to be confirmed since he is sixth when taking stock of a Friday which smiled on the Ducati satellites. The Reale Avintia Racing driver is also the first Frenchman. So much so that he wouldn't mind if the rain got involved on Saturday to keep his good position!
As in Qatar, Loris Baz stood out favorably during the first day of a Grand Prix. This time, it was in Argentina that he shone, despite a day that was not easy. A health problem was added to a technical problem in the morning. Stomach pain including Jules Danilo or even Jesko Raffin also suffered.
But all that was swept away by this beautiful sixth final position: “ this Friday was positive » comments the compatriot of a Johann zarco who had to settle for twelfth place. “ In the morning I had a problem with my bike, but it wasn't that serious and, anyway, the first session always only serves to clean up the track here ».
« In the afternoon, we tried different settings and they were all positive. I was able to be fast on the hard tires, but ended up going out with a soft rear tire. I was able to follow Maverick Viñales and I did a very good lap. However, I think he could have been better with a tough guy up front. But I'm very happy ».
« I progress with each outing and that's the most significant. I have fun on the bike. It's always a good thing to finish in the top ten, especially if it rains tomorrow. It's not certain that it will rain, but in any case, our goal will be to stay in the Top 10. This day was very well orchestrated and I'm delightedi. » His teammate Barbera could not do better than fifteenth.
MotoGP J.1 Argentina Ranking:
1. Maverick Vinales ESP Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 1m 39.477s
2. Marc Marquez ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 1m 39.778s +0.301s
3. Karel Abraham CZE Aspar MotoGP Team (Desmosedici GP15) 1m 39.880s +0.403s
4. Alvaro Bautista ESP Aspar MotoGP Team (Desmosedici GP16) 1m 39.922s +0.445s
5. Danilo Petrucci ITA Octo Pramac Racing (Desmosedici GP17) 1m 39.960s +0.483s
6. Loris Baz FRA Reale Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP15) 1m 40.120s +0.643s
7. Cal Crutchlow GBR LCR Honda (RC213V) 1m 40.124s +0.647s
8. Jonas Folger GER Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1)*
1m 40.157s +0.680s
9. Alex Espargaro ESP Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) 1m 40.175s +0.698s
10. Andrea Iannone ITA Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR)
1m 40.250s +0.773s
11. Scott Redding GBR Octo Pramac Racing (Desmosedici GP16) 1m 40.338s +0.861s
12. Johann zarco ENG Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1)*
1m 40.340s +0.863s
13. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 1m 40.345s +0.868s
14. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP17) 1m 40.399s +0.922s
15. Hector Barbera ESP Reale Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP16) 1m 40.431s +0.954s
16. Valentino Rossi ITA Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 1m 40.531s +1.054s
17. Jack Miller AUS Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS (RC213V) 1m 40.588s +1.111s
18. Jorge Lorenzo ESP Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP17)
1m 40.599s +1.122s
19. Tito Rabat ESP Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS (RC213V) 1m 40.908s +1.431s
20. alex rins ESP Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR)* 1m 41.083s +1.606s
21. Espargaro Pol ESP Red Bull KTM Factory Racing (RC16) 1m 41.632s +2.155s
22. Bradley Smith GBR Red Bull KTM Factory Racing (RC16) 1m 42.074s +2.597s
23. Sam Lowes GBR Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP)*
1m 42.179s +2.702s
