Aleix Viu to replace Albert Arenas in Argentina

Sama Qatar Ángel Nieto Team Júnior rider, who was preparing for the new FIM CEV season in Estoril, will now race at Autódromo Termas de Río Hondo in place of the injured Arenas

After a long winter the 2019 MotoGP World Championship emerges further into the light this weekend, as Argentina plays host to the second round following a three-week break since the season-opener in Qatar. A full grid of almost thirty Moto3 riders head to South America in readiness for another battle to the finish line at Autódromo de Termas de Río Hondo, with Kaito Toba on top of the standings after a thrilling battle at Losail. The Japanese rider crossed the line just 0.053 seconds ahead of Lorenzo dalla Porta and only a tenth ahead of Aron Canet, the top KTM rider in third place. This weekend the second of nineteen rounds is sure to entertain the passionate local bike fans.

Sama Qatar Ángel Nieto Team Júnior rider Aleix Viu will take the place of the injured Albert Arenas at the Grand Prix of Argentina. Viu was testing at Estoril this week alongside his FIM CEV teammates in readiness for the opening round of the Junior World Championship but he will now step in for the unfortunate Arenas, who had been looking forward to Argentina following his sixth-place finish in Qatar. Viu will share a garage with the man he is aiming to succeed as Junior World Champion in Raúl Fernández, who himself has high hopes for this weekend after challenging for a podium in the opening race and finishing just eight tenths off the win in seventh position. The rookie is visiting this circuit for the first time and his only objective is to enjoy himself and learn as much as possible before giving it his best shot for another challenge at the front on Sunday.

Raúl Fernández: “This is my first season in the World Championship and from Qatar to Austin the only objective is to learn and to enjoy myself. Any result counts as long as we learn from it because I don’t know the circuits and we don’t get much time to do so. I am excited about the next race in Argentina because it is a circuit that whenever I have seen it on the television I have always really liked it. Hopefully I can make the most of the weekend and put together another good race that I can enjoy the same or even more so than in Qatar.”

Aleix Viu: “First and foremost I want to wish Albert Arenas a speedy recovery so that he is back soon at full strength. To be honest I wasn’t expecting this news – we had a test this week at Estoril and I was back at the hotel at the end of the first day when I got a call from Nico Terol to say there was a chance I could be going to Argentina in place of Albert. At first I was speechless, I didn’t know what to do. It will be a tough race but I am going to learn as much as I can and try to enjoy this incredible opportunity to compete against the best. My main objective this weekend is obviously to do a good job, but I want to take it all as a learning experience that I can put towards my ultimate goal this season, which is the Junior World Championship.”