A hecticFriday with lots of official activity off the track was the prelude to the first event of the 2026 Motocross World Championship season. The official presentation of the competition, the words of the protagonists at the first press conference of the year, and the sound of engines in the paddock of the Bariloche MX Race Track were some of the scenes that marked the first day in San Carlos de Bariloche.
The first day ended spectacularly at the city’s Civic Centre with an autograph signing session and a freestyle show. Tomorrow, the action kicks off at the Bariloche MX Race Track.
The best of World Motocross returned to Bariloche, and the fans know it. Hundreds of spectators gave a warm welcome to the MXGP stars, who will begin the 2026 season tomorrow.
The drivers’ first contact with the local public could not have been better, as the autograph signing session and freestyle show took place at sunset on a sunny day with ideal temperatures, which, according to forecasts, are set to continue throughout the race weekend.
A large number of spectators were thrilled by the incredible freestyle show and also got to meet the World Championship stars who came from all over the world. Tomorrow, the action will begin at the Bariloche MX Race Track, starting at 9:15 a.m.
The opening of the 2026 season
The first official activity of the event was the Official Presentation of the 2026 Motocross World Championship season, attended by David Luongo (President and CEO of Infront Moto Racing), Antonio Alia Portela (Director of FIM/CMS), Pablo Eli (Sports Director of +Eventos) and Leonardo Marcasciano (President of FEEBA).
‘It’s a pleasure to be back in this region and to launch a new circuit. This year we have an incredible line-up with eight world champions racing in MXGP, so finishing in the top ten will be quite a challenge for the competitors,’ said Luongo, adding: «We want to thank Pablo and David Eli for their efforts, because without them there would be no MXGP in Argentina. It’s incredible to see the work they have done in three different venues over the years, always with the same quality and always raising the bar for our championship.»
We are here again thanks to the efforts of Infront and the other two people accompanying us in this presentation: Pablo and Leonardo,‘ said Alia Portela, who went on to praise the work done by the local organisation: ’The work carried out by +Eventos and their vast experience has enabled them to complete a circuit, working in very difficult conditions; we know that when they get involved in a project, they do so in a serious manner and prepare a setting in which we feel comfortable, so we can surely continue to rely on them in the years to come.»
Pablo Eli thanked the local authorities for their support and expressed his enthusiasm for the MXGP returning to the place where it was born: ‘It’s a pleasure to return to Patagonia and especially to Bariloche, for all that it represents for motocross in our country.’ He emphasised the challenge that adapting to new terrain with soil that is very different from what they are used to racing on in Europe will pose for the riders.
Meanwhile, the local host said: ‘We are proud to welcome you to our wonderful city. Bariloche is nature, it is lakes, it is mountains, but it also has a very vibrant productive sector represented by our Federation,’ said Marcasciano. ‘This city has Motocross in its DNA. The country’s first Motocross races were held here, and before we became the most important ski resort in Latin America, Motocross was the most important activity of all,’ he concluded.
Saturday and Sunday schedule at the circuit
The gates of the Bariloche MX Race Track will open to the general public on Saturday and Sunday at 6am for general admission and 9am for VIP admission.
On Saturday, track activity will begin at 9:15 a.m. with Free Practice. After an intense morning of testing, the climax of the day will be the Qualifying Races (20 minutes plus 2 laps), which will start at 3:25 p.m. To close the day, the Paddock Show will be held for the first time, with the drivers sharing their first impressions after getting off their bikes following qualifying.
On Sunday, the action on the track will begin at 10:25 a.m. with the warm-up. The most eagerly awaited moment will come at midday, when Race 1 (30 minutes plus 2 laps) will start at 12:15 p.m., followed by Race 2 (30 minutes plus 2 laps) at 3 p.m.
Check here the full MXGP Argentina YPF program: mxgpargentina.com/programa/