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    MotoGP Grand Prix of Argentina 2018: Race Schedule, Live Stream and Top Riders

    James Dudko@@JamesDudkoX.com LogoFeatured ColumnistApril 6, 2018

    DOHA, QATAR - MARCH 18: Andrea Dovizioso of Italy and Ducati Team leads the field during the MotoGP race during the MotoGP of Qatar - Race at Losail Circuit on March 18, 2018 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images)
    Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images

    Maverick Vinales will hope to repeat last year's triumph when he races at the 2018 MotoGP Grand Prix of Argentina at the Autodromo Termas de Rio Hondo in Santiago del Estero on Sunday.

    Vinales needs the win after Andrea Dovizioso won the season's opening race in Qatar recently. Vinales could only finish sixth but will be fancied to improve after last year's exploits.

    Meanwhile, world champion Marc Marquez impressed when he finished second in Qatar. Expect the Spaniard to again be in the thick of the battle for first place.

    Vinales left the rest trailing on this track in 2017.
    Vinales left the rest trailing on this track in 2017.Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images

                 

    Date: Sunday, April 8

    Warm-Ups: 1:40 p.m. to 3 p.m. BST. 9:40 a.m. to 10 a.m. ET.

    Race Start Time: 7 p.m. BST. 2 p.m. ET.

    Practice races take place on Friday from 1 p.m. to 7:50 p.m. BST/8 a.m. to 2:50 p.m. ET, while qualifying happens on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 7:50 p.m. BST/8 a.m. to 2:50 p.m. ET, per BT Sport.

                

    Live-stream links: BT Sport App, beIN Sports CONNECT.

    Marquez has a terrific history in this particular race, securing pole position four times and earning a pair of wins. The last of those victories came in 2016, but he should still feel confident about his chances this year.

    Marquez knows what it takes to win in Argentina.
    Marquez knows what it takes to win in Argentina.Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images

    The Spaniard has never lost when on pole position, per Ian Marsden of the Daily Telegraph, so times set in qualifying will be key for the reigning champion.

    Dovizioso also deserves to feel confident about his chances after the way he set the pace on the Losail International Circuit back in March. 

    The Italian can also be boosted by riding on the "long straight and various sweeping turns" on this track, according to Jerry Perez of The Drive. Perez believes those turns are similar to those Dovizioso thrived on in Qatar.

    Dovizioso will be aiming for another win.
    Dovizioso will be aiming for another win.Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images

    Even so, finishing ahead of Yamaha at Termas de Rio Hondo will still be no easy task. The team saw both Vinales and Valentino Rossi cross the line ahead of the rest in 2017.

    Rossi admitted Yamaha's "rivals are stronger now," per GPone.com. He also talked up Vinales' chances of winning in Argentina again, saying the team's work in Qatar bodes well.

    For his part, Vinales expects Yamaha will be on the front for most of the race, per Crash.net. The claim is a clear indicator of the confident mood Vinales is in ahead of a race he loves.