The MXGP Argentina YPF made a thrilling debut at the new circuit in Córdoba, delivering a spectacular day of racing in front of a massive crowd. Thousands of passionate fans filled every sector of the impressive Infinito Race track, cheering for their idols in each heat. Maxime Renaux (Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP) in MXGP and Kay de Wolf (Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing) in MX2 etched their names in history as the first winners on this new track.
The 2025 season of the Motocross World Championship could not have been opened in a better way: a new circuit, a new city, a new stage and the same passion that for a decade has been present in Argentina every time the world’s best riders visit the country. Córdoba welcomed the MXGP again -it had not been held here since 1994 when it took place in the city of Cosquín- and the fans did not hesitate to fill the natural grandstands of the new circuit, which was praised by the riders after two days of intense activity.
Despite the heavy rain in the early hours of Sunday morning, the fans started to arrive at the circuit very early, and by the time of the first two races of the last day of action, the crowd was impressive with 55 thousand spectators who enjoyed the first round of the 2025 season.
Renaux had his first victory in Argentina and Kay de Wolf won for the second year in a row in Argentina.
The excitment was not only present in the grandstands but also on the track and the spectators followed very attentively each of the races. In MXGP, the two Frenchmen challenged each other to a duel during the whole weekend. Maxime Renaux and Romain Febvre fought elbow to elbow at every heat. Yesterday Renaux won the qualifying and today Febvre won Race 1; but in the final round the Yamaha rider took the lead again from the first lap -after overtaking Mattia Guadagnini (Aruba.it – Ducati Factory MX Team) who arrived at the Holeshot-, and left his rivals with no chance to counterattack.
Despite being even in points after both competitions, Renaux had his first victory in Argentina thanks to his P1 in the final race, followed by Febvre, who repeated the result achieved in 2024 and also climbed on the podium for the fourth consecutive time in our country. Third was the top winner of MXGP Argentina, with three victories, Tim Gajser (Team HRC).
Among the Argentinians, Joaquin Poli (Kawasaki) was the best placed, P25, and received an award by YPF as the best local rider.
Previously, in MX2, there were also many emotions and everything was defined in the last corner of the second race of the weekend. The track was the central protagonist of the race, as the racing lines and the mud caused a lot of shocks. Kay de Wolf had won the first heat and seemed to be on his way to the GP win when he was fighting for third place in the second race, but a crash caused him to lose ground, giving Simon Laengenfelder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) the chance to take the top prize.
However, two laps before the end the German suffered a crash and in the last corner before the finish line he lost control of his KTM again and his chances of victory were lost after being overtaken by De Wolf. Sacha Coenen (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) took the second MX2 race and was second in the Grand Prix, while Laengenfelder completed the podium.
En la 23° posición, el cordobés Benjamín Pascual (Honda) quedó ubicado como el mejor representante local en esta división.
The rider from Córdoba, Benjamín Pascual (Honda) was the best local representative in this division in P23.
The voices from MXGP Argentina YPF Paddock
Maxime Renaux: “You never know what to expect in a new event, so it is quite good to win the first race. It was a good competition. It will be a very competitive year”.
Romain Febvre: “It is a very nice track. Leaving Patagonia was a disappointment, because it was my favourite, but I think this one is even better. I hope we’ll be back here next year.”
Kay de Wolf: “It was a good weekend with great speed. I’m very happy with this result, the same as my team.”
Joaquín Poli: “This track exceeded my expectations. The track is a luxury, and the maintenance they gave it throughout the weekend, too. I am pleased with the many people who came to watch this race.”
David Eli (President of +Eventos and general organizer of MXGP Argentina YPF): “This MXGP Argentina YPF exceeded our expectations. We dreamed of this event. Building the track from scratch required many months of work, and I am pleased with the GP we had here in Cordoba at home. Of course, there is still a lot to improve on, and I am sure that next year, it will be even better. I especially want to mention the fans who came to enjoy the World Championship even when the weather could have been an obstacle; and I also thank all the authorities of the Government of Cordoba and the Municipality of the City of Cordoba, our sponsors and all the people of Infinito Open. Without all of them, this event would not have been possible”.
From Argentina to the world
The Latin American championship also had its great celebration. Fabio Aparecido Dos Santos (Brazil) won the MXGP category and Marcello Silva (Brazil) did the same in MX2. Both riders received double prizes. In addition to the trophies they received on the awards podium in front of the public, Pedro Venturo, President of FIM Latam, announced in the press conference after the race that both winners will also receive the important prize of the entries and the support to compete in two more World Championship rounds, namely in the MXGP of China and Australia.
The story of the day
David Braceras (JM Honda Racing) and a special jersey to race the MXGP Argentina YPF. On Sunday, the Spanish MX2 rider wore an outfit alluding to Diego Maradona and the mythical substitute jersey of the Argentinean National Team in the ’94 World Cup, which was specially made for this GP. “Maradona has always been a reference of Argentina and it is a pleasure for me that Acerbis has made this for me”, said the rider before getting on his bike.