The FIM Motocross World Championship kicks off in Argentina

• Calvin Vlaanderen scores his first points with the Desmo450 MX

• Positive start for the Desmo250 MX with Simone Mancini

A final glimpse of the Patagonian summer, with mild temperatures and a breezy climate, welcomed the riders of the 2026 FIM Motocross World Championship to San Carlos de Bariloche, in the province of Rio Negro, 1,600 kilometres south of the capital, Buenos Aires, for the first of 19 scheduled rounds.

The new Bariloche MX Track, built specifically for this round on the dusty Patagonian soil, home of the Grand Prix of Argentina, immediately put the MXGP and MX2 riders to the test with a spectacular and fast layout, on which the riders of the Red Bull Ducati Factory MXGP Team and the Beddini Racing Ducati Factory MX2 Team took to for the first of two days of racing.

MXGP

Ninth at the end of free practice, Calvin Vlaanderen set the 10th-fastest time in the following timed session, in front of Andrea Bonacorsi in 16th and Jeremy Seewer in 19th.

The Dutchman had a decent start at the gate in the first qualifying race of the season, passing the opening corner just outside the top 10, before settling into eleventh. Vlaanderen fought tenaciously until the end and crossed the finish line in ninth to earn his first two championship points with Ducati.

Bonacorsi also performed well, starting 14th and demonstrating excellent physical condition, which allowed him to climb up to eleventh, with a remarkable race pace in the second half of the bout. Seewer also qualified consistently, 19th after two laps and 16th at the first finish, having made up three positions.

MX2

Simone Mancini had an encouraging world championship debut, replacing injured teammate Ferruccio Zanchi, as he put in a solid first ride on the Desmo250 MX in the MX2 World Championship.

The Italian improved with each outing, finding a good feel for the challenging Bariloche track surface and posting the 18th fastest time in practice ahead of the first qualifying race of his young career. Starting ninth, Simone fought for half the heats to stay in the top 15 before a crash dropped him to 18th, which was the position he crossed the finish line in and will use for his starting position for Sunday's two motos.