Marc VDS head for the Cathedral of Speed

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The Marc VDS Racing Team hop across the border from their base in Gosselies, Belgium to The Netherlands this weekend, for the Dutch TT at the historic Assen circuit, round seven of the FIM Moto2 World Championship.

Scott Redding heads to Assen with a 35 point lead in the championship standings, after a win in Mugello and a fourth place in Catalunya saw him collect 38 points at the two tracks on the calendar that punish his size and weight the most. The 20-year-old Briton ranks Assen as one of his favourite circuits and he heads to the North of Holland determined to repeat his podium success of last season.

Catalunya was a struggle for Mika Kallio, with set-up issues hampering his progress throughout free practice and qualifying, but the 30-year-old Finn overcame the issues in the race to take a top ten finish and keep his championship campaign on track. Kallio has won previously at Assen, aboard a 125cc machine back in 2006, and, like his teammate, has his sights set firmly on a return to the podium this weekend.

A big crash in Catalunya left Livio Loi battered and bruised, but the 16-year-old Belgian returns to action this weekend at a track he knows better than any other on the Moto3 calendar. Loi has won previously at Assen, in the closely contested Moriwaki Cup, and will be looking to take advantage of his previous experience at the 4.542km Assen track to close on the top ten in both qualifying and the race.

The historic Circuit van Drenthe, or the Cathedral of Speed as it is often referred to, is the only track that has appeared on the Grand Prix calendar every year since the series started in its current form back in 1949. A former public roads circuit, Assen is also unique in that it is the only round where the races are held on Saturday, rather than the more usual Sunday.

Scott Redding #45:

“I’m looking forward to returning to Assen, as it’s definitely one of my favourite tracks to race at. Fourth in Catalunya, a track that really punishes my size, was a good result in terms of the championship, but it was also a little disappointing to miss out on a fifth podium finish in Spain. I was third at Assen last season and I think a podium finish this time around is a realistic goal, but even more important is to try and extend my lead over Pol Espargaro and Tito Rabat in the championship standings. If I can do that and stand on the podium this weekend in Assen then I’ll be a happy man.”

Mika Kallio #36:

“Catalunya was hard work, and a little disappointing because we didn’t get the result we were looking for. We came away from Spain with some ideas about the set-up of the bike and that’s something we need to discuss internally ahead of this weekend’s race in Assen. While we are heading to Holland off the back of a difficult race weekend in Spain, confidence remains high, as the team is working well. I like the Assen track and it’s been a good one for me in the past, but I need to be back in the top five, preferably on the podium, there this weekend if I’m to keep my championship campaign on track. If we get the set-up right from the start of practice then I think this is a realistic goal.”

Livio Loi #11:

“I’m feeling confident heading to Assen, despite the problems in Mugello and the crash in Catalunya. Before the Catalunya crash everything was working well and I was inside the top ten in the race, but then a rider closed the door on me going into turn five and I was already on the limit with the brakes. I had no choice but to brake harder to avoid him and, as a result, I lost the front and crashed. I had a bit of a headache for a few days afterwards, but I’m back to full fitness now and I’ve been training hard for Assen. My goal, as always, is top 15 in qualifying and the race but, as we saw in Catalunya, when things are working well then top ten is a possibility.”

Michael Bartholemy: Team Principal

“Catalunya has always been a tough track for Scott, but he came away with 13 points and only a slight reduction in his lead at the top of the championship, which was a job well done. Now we head to Assen, a track that Scott likes and one where I’m confident he can repeat his podium success of last season. We need to find a solution to Mika’s problems in practice and qualifying this weekend. His race pace is good, as he shows every weekend, but his starting position is robbing him of podium opportunities all too often. Livio has had two difficult rounds, with set-up issues in Mugello and a big crash last time out in Catalunya. This weekend at Assen, a track he knows very well, he needs to put the last two races behind him and regain his confidence on the bike. If he can do that then there’s no reason why he shouldn’t be pushing towards the top ten in both qualifying and the race.”

Marc VDS Racing Team Press Release

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Scott Redding Hunts for Next Podium at Texas

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The Marc VDS Racing Team head across the Atlantic this week, for the second round of the FIM Moto2 World Championship at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.

It’s the first time the Circuit of Americas has featured on the Moto2 calendar, but learning the track is not a concern for Scott Redding, who is keen to continue the run of form that saw him finish on the podium in the opening round of the season in Qatar just over one week ago.

Mika Kallio left Qatar disappointed with fifth place in Qatar, as the 30-year-old Finn was convinced a podium finish was on the cards after qualifying on the front row of the grid. Kallio lost ground in the early stages of the race as a result of some over enthusiastic overtaking moves by others, a situation he is keen to avoid this weekend in Texas

Circuit of the Americas was completed in 2012 and is the first purpose built Grand Prix track in the United States. The track, which features a change in elevation of almost 41 metres and a unique incline at the end of the front straight, was designed by Hermann Tilke with input from the 1993 500GP World Champion, Kevin Schwantz.

At 5.513km in length the circuit comprises 11 left and nine right corners, many of which mirror famous sections of iconic racetracks from around the world.

Scott Redding #45:

“Second in Qatar was a good start to the season, but we need to carry that momentum into the next outing in Texas. It’s a new track for everyone, which will be interesting, but I’m sure it won’t take any of us long to get up to speed. I’ve never had a problem learning new tracks and I’m looking forward to seeing what the Circuit of the Americas has to offer. If we approach this race in the same way as we did the last then I think there’s every chance we can repeat the success of Qatar in America. That’s the goal, anyway.”

 Mika Kallio #36:

“It was good to get a top five finish in the first race of the season in Qatar, despite some issues with the engine. I didn’t seem to have the acceleration or top speed of the people I was racing against. Other than that the bike worked well in Qatar and, although Circuit of the Americas is a brand new track for us, I’m pretty confident we won’t have to make any big changes to get the bike working equally well there. New circuits have always been quite good for me in the past, so I hope Circuit of the Americas will be the same. It will still take some learning, but I think we’ll be pretty much up to speed on the first day if we can get plenty of laps done in the first two practice sessions.”

Michael Bartholemy: Team Principal

“We got the season off to a flying start in Qatar, with Scott on the podium and Mika finishing top five, but now we need to build on that in Texas with two more strong results. Both riders showed last weekend that they are capable of qualifying and racing at the front and, although Circuit of the Americas is a track at which we have no previous experience, I can see no reason why Scott and Mika shouldn’t do the same again this weekend. Two more good results in Texas would put us in a strong position when we return to Europe at the end of the month for the Jerez race.”

Marc VDS Racing Team Press Release

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Redding and Kallio stay as Marc VDS expand into Moto3 in 2013

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The Marc VDS Racing Team can today confirm that their Moto2 rider line up will remain unchanged for 2013. For the third successive season Scott Redding and Mika Kallio will spearhead the Marc VDS Racing Team's assault on the World Championship aboard the latest specification Kalex Moto2 machines.

The two riders have taken eight Moto2 podium finishes between them for the Marc VDS Racing Team but, so far, a race win in the mostly hotly contested Grand Prix class has remained elusive. Both riders are determined to rectify this situation before the end of the current season, before focussing on the championship title in 2013.

The Marc VDS Racing Team will also field young Belgian rider, Livio Loi, in the 2013 FIM Moto3 Championship, having had their application for a grid slot confirmed in Malaysia. Loi, who hails from Helchteren in the Flemish part of Belgium, impressed in the Red Bull Rookies Cup this year, taking a race win and two podium finishes in his debut season, in a series that has become a breeding ground for future Grand Prix stars.

With the plans for 2013 confirmed, the Marc VDS Racing Team will now focus solely on this weekend's Malaysian Grand Prix, the first time the Grand Prix paddock has returned to the Sepang circuit since Marco Simoncelli's tragic death here just 12 months ago.

Scott Redding #45:

"Where I'll ride next year has been something of a distraction recently, so I'm happy to have signed for my fourth season with the Marc VDS Racing Team and now I can focus on these last three races. So far I've stood on every step of the Moto2 podium but the top one, and that has to be the target before the end of the year. This weekend will be difficult, not just because of the two long straights here at Sepang, but also because of the memories this track holds for everyone after Sic's tragic crash here last year. We remembered him with a ceremony today, but we'll also honour him by going balls out in Sunday's race, which is exactly what he would be doing if he was still with us."

Mika Kallio #36:

"I'm happy to be staying with the Marc VDS Racing Team next season. I had a couple of other options for 2013, but a third year here was the best of them all, so I'm pleased that we managed to work everything out. Malaysia was the turning point in the season for me last year and, after two difficult races in Spain and Japan, I'm hoping the same will be true again this time around. We have some upgrades for the bike this weekend, which should offer significant improvements, but we'll need to evaluate them in practice before using them in the race. Of course, this year's race here in Malaysia will be a poignant one, as it's the first time we've visited Sepang since Marco's fatal crash here 12 months ago. He was a larger than life character who still lives on in the memories of everyone in the paddock."

Michael Bartholemy: Team Principal

"We are happy to have signed Scott and Mika for another season with the Marc VDS Racing Team in Moto2. Doing so now means they can focus solely on the last three races of the season, with the team's first Moto2 race win a target for them both. Livio Loi will also join the team in 2013, to contest the Moto3 World Championship aboard a Kalex KTM machine. Livio has impressed in the Red Bull Rookies Cup this season, but the step up to the Moto3 World Championship will be a big one for him, which is why we've signed him on a two-year deal. His first season will be a learning year, but I'm confident he'll be challenging for results in year two. The plans for 2013 are finalised, but we have to finish this season strongly, starting this weekend in Malaysia. The conditions here in Sepang always make for a difficult race weekend, but this year will be even tougher because it's the first time we've returned since Marco's tragic death 12 months ago. It will be a hard race for us, but it will be doubly hard for San Carlo Gresini Honda this weekend and our thoughts are with Fausto Gresini and his team."

Marc van der Straten: President, Marc VDS Racing Team

"I am happy that Scott and Mika will once again represent the Marc VDS Racing Team in the Moto2 World Championship next season. They have formed a formidable partnership over the last two years, with both contributing greatly to the success of the team. I am positive that before the end of next year wd'll see them both on the top step of the podium. Personally I am very excited about Livio Loi joining the Marc VDS Racing Team to contest the Moto3 World Championship next season. Developing young Belgian talent has been one of our objectives since we started our adventure on two wheels, and there is no doubt in my mind that Livio has what it takes to succeed at the very highest level. Now that we've been granted a place on the grid a new chapter in our two-wheeled adventure can begin."

Marc VDS Racing Team Press Release

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Second row for on form Redding at Motegi

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Scott Redding will start tomorrow's Japanese Moto2 Grand Prix from the head of the second row of the grid, after qualifying fourth fastest at Motegi this afternoon. Mika Kallio will start from the fifth row of the grid after a disastrous day in which he was taken out by Marc Marquez this morning and then sidelined with a broken clutch this afternoon.

In this morning's 45-minute free practice session Redding continued where he left off yesterday, improving his lap time to finish fourth fastest. The 19-year-old Briton improved further during the early part of this afternoon's all-important qualifying session, moving up to fourth on the timesheet.

Redding looked set to jump onto the front row of the grid with his final flying lap, but lost time after a near crash on the exit of the hairpin. The front tucked as he clipped the apex, forcing him onto the gas to pick the bike up, only for the rear to come round on him and almost throw him over the highside. It was a violent near-crash, with Redding damaging the fairing, the fuel tank and bending both handlebars as he was flung off and then landed back on the bike.

After finishing yesterday's free practice sessions tenth fastest, Kallio endured a disastrous second day at Motegi. During this morning's free practice session the 29-year-old Finn made a clean move on Marc Marquez, only for the Spaniard to try a suicidal move up the inside at the next turn. Going for a gap that simply didn't exist, but refusing to shut off, Marquez ran into the back of Kallio's bike and the Finn went down hard. Kallio walked away with minor abrasions but the bike, which had somersaulted into the gravel trap, was almost completely destroyed.

The Marc VDS mechanics managed to completely rebuild the bike ahead of qualifying, only for Kallio to miss a large part of the 45-minute timed session after experiencing two clutch failures. As a result the Marc VDS rider, who has won three times here at Motegi in the past, will start tomorrow's race from 15th position on the grid.

The clutch problems may well be related to the earlier crash, as it's the first time the team have had one failure, never mind two in quick succession. This will be investigated further by the team's mechanics this evening.

Scott Redding #45: 4th - 1'51.273

"The second row is good enough, but I really thought I was going to end up on the front row with my last flying lap. Unfortunately, it turned out to be more of a flying lap than I was hoping for. The front tucked on me exiting the hairpin, so I got on the gas to pick the bike up only for the rear to come round on me. It flicked me pretty high and I landed back on the bike so hard I thought I'd swallowed my own nuts! We've been on the pace all weekend so far and the lap times have been both fast and consistent, so I'm confident going into tomorrow's race. Hopefully we'll have another battle like we had in Aragon and I can be up there hunting another podium finish."

Mika Kallio #36: 15th - 1'52.223

"The only thing I can say about today is that it's not possible for tomorrow to be any worse! Someone should have maybe told Marc Marquez that the race is tomorrow, because his move in free practice this morning was completely out of order. He ran wide into the turn and I went under him cleanly, only for him to torpedo me from behind at the next turn. He hit me so hard he bent the swinging arm; I don't think he even thought about shutting off. This afternoon we had problems with the clutch, which may well be a result of the crash, but it means I'll start tomorrow from the fifth row of the grid. It will make for a tough race but, like I said, it can't be any worse than today."

Michael Bartholemy: Team Principal

"Scott has done a good job this weekend and his confidence is plain to see. He's been consistently top five on the timesheet throughout free practice and could well have been on the front row today if he'd not had a near crash on his last flying lap. He was lucky to get away with it; he landed so hard on the bike he destroyed a set of bodywork and even bent the handlebars. I'm confident he'll be up there battling for a podium finish once again in the race tomorrow. Mika has endured a disastrous day through no fault of his own. Marc Marquez's move on Mika in free practice this morning was beyond reckless and it's lucky that it's just the bike we had to replace and not the rider as well. He wasn't sanctioned for the crash because it was a 'racing incident' apparently, which makes about as much sense as Marquez's reasons for trying such a suicidal move in the first place. Anyway, Mika has put today behind him and is determined to battle his way through the field to a top ten finish and I have no doubt in his ability to do this."

Marc VDS Racing Press Release

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Scott Redding and Mika Kallio are Raring to go to Indianapolis

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After a long five-week summer break Scott Redding and Mika Kallio are raring to go, as the Moto2 class descends on the world famous Brickyard for the Indianapolis Grand Prix this weekend.

Redding is still chasing a first race win in the intermediate class, but the 19-year-old British rider's main focus remains on the championship. Redding is currently lying fifth in the standings, 47 points behind series leader Marc Marquez, but is confident that a top three finish is still possible with a run of consistent results in the second half of the season, starting this weekend at Indianapolis.

Persistent mid-race chatter has been a major issue for Kallio so far this season, but despite the problem, the 29-year-old Finn finished second at the Sachsenring and has only been outside the top ten once this season. Kallio is confident that if they can find a solution to the chatter problem at Indianapolis this weekend, he'll be back challenging at the front of races during the second half of the season.

With more than 250,000 seats in the grandstands the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the biggest permanent sporting arena in the world, but the circuit has been criticised in the past for the bumpy and patchy nature of the MotoGP track, which runs inside the world famous oval. The track underwent extensive resurfacing work almost two years ago, but the variation in tarmac means that grip remains unpredictable.

Scott Redding #45:

"I can't wait to get back to racing after a long summer break, but at least the downtime means I head to the United States with the batteries fully recharged. I like racing at Indy; the track has been a good one for me in the past and the atmosphere and the people at the circuit make it a very special event. As usual I'll be pushing during the second half of the season for a first win in Moto2, something I've been thinking about a lot during the break. I've also been thinking about the championship; the leading four have pulled a bit of a gap at the top of the standings, but if I stay calm and string together some top five finishes in the next few races then I know I can close back up on them. I'm looking forward to the weekend ahead and I hope we'll be able to put on a good show for the fans, on our only appearance America this season."

Mika Kallio #36:

"I spent most of the summer break at home relaxing, so I'm all set for the second half of the season. Indy isn't one of my favourite tracks, as the layout isn't so exciting and the grip can be unpredictable from one corner to the next because of the different types of tarmac. But anyway, for us, we need to focus on finding a solution to the chatter problem mid-race that has plagued us all season. We've made changes to the suspension the chassis, the balance, the weight and the length of the bike already, but the problem remains. We think we maybe have a solution for Indianapolis, but we won't know for certain until we try it in free practice. Both me and Scott are pushing hard to give the team a first Moto2 win this season and, if our solution to the chatter problem works, then we'll be one step closer to achieving that."  

Michael Bartholemy: Team Principal

"We need to get the second half of the season off to a strong start with two good results at Indianapolis this weekend. We know Scott's potential at this circuit; two years ago he secured his first Moto2 podium finish at Indy and it wouldn't surprise me at all to see him up there once again this weekend. For most of the year Mika has been struggling with a chatter problem, the cause of which has so far baffled our chassis, tyre and suspension technicians. We will try a very different approach to the problem this weekend, which I hope will finally eliminate the chatter. Without the chatter, we know that Mika is more than capable of fighting not just for the podium, but the top step of the podium."

Marc VDS Moto2 Racing Press Release

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Redding storms to podium finish in his home race

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Scott Redding gave the home crowd something to celebrate today by taking second place in a thrilling Moto2 race that was decided only in the final laps. Mika Kallio finished inside the top ten, after battling his way through the field from 18th position on the grid.

Redding was involved in the battle for the lead right from the start of today's 18-lap Moto2 race, forcing his way to the front on the second lap and then setting a blistering pace that his pursuers found difficult to maintain.

More importantly the 19-year-old Briton adopted a riding style specifically to conserve his tyres, knowing full well that maximum grip would be required for the challenge ahead.

Pol Espargaro managed to sneak through and pull out a lead, as Redding got involved in a battle with Andrea Iannone and Marc Marquez. Iannone was soon dropped, leaving Redding and Marquez to battle it out for second place. Redding made his move early on the final lap, only for the lightweight Spaniard to take back the advantage on the straight, forcing the Marc VDS rider to put in an aggressive overtake on the brakes and then defend the position to the line.

Kallio managed to make up places from the start and was lying tenth at quarter race distance, but was unable to progress further when he started struggling for rear grip as the tyre went off. The 29-year-old Finn was disappointed, as he could see the battle for the lead in front of him, but just couldn't bridge the gap as the rear started spinning up out of the turns.

Scott Redding #45: 2nd Position

"The start of the race was a bit hectic, as both me and Bradley wanted to be the top Brit, so the battle at the front was, shall we say, a bit aggressive! All good fun though! Once I was through and into the lead I was able to find a good rhythm that was easy on the tyres but still fast enough to make it difficult for the riders chasing me. Eventually they caught me and as Espargaro went through, I got involved in a bit of a ding dong with Marquez and Iannone that held us all up a bit. I knew it was going to be a bit of a scrap with Marquez on the last lap and I wasn't wrong. I passed him early, he came back on the straight, so I stuck it up his inside on the brakes. He was struggling with the bike, but he still tried to come back at me in the final corner, but I was having none of it! It was a good, clean fight; a great result and I hope the crowd enjoyed it as much as I did! Thanks to Marc van der Straten, the team and everyone who was here to support us this weekend."

Mika Kallio #36: 10th Position

"We swapped the forks out on the bike overnight and the feeling was much better today so there was obviously a problem, as we suspected. Unfortunately the damage had been done in qualifying and starting from 18th on the grid made things difficult in the race. I managed to battle my way through into the top ten and I thought I'd be able to latch onto the leading group, who weren't so far ahead, but then the rear tyre went off and I was struggling for grip. It was the same as in Barcelona, so it's definitely something we need to investigate. As a result my lap times went up by a second and it was all I could do to hold on to tenth place until the end."

Michael Bartholemy: Team Principal

"Today we saw a different side of Scott. We know he's capable of riding on the ragged edge, as we've see this so often in the past, but today he also rode with his head. He hit the front early in the race and then rode as smoothly as he could to conserve his tyres. It was a good plan because it was the extra grip that allowed him to get the better of Marc Marquez on the final lap. It was a great race by Scott and a great result for the team. I hope the British crowd enjoyed is as much as I did! Mika also rode a good race, but was hampered by his qualifying position and a drop off in tyre performance. Both of these issues we need to address ahead of the next race at Assen."

Marc VDS Racing Team Press Release

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Marc VDS Racing Team Le Mans Preview

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Mika Kallio and Scott Redding head for this weekend's Grand Prix de France at Le Mans confident of a return to form, after tyre and handling issues saw them finish ninth and eleventh last time out in Estoril.

Chatter issues mid race plagued Kallio, halting his progress through the field from 17th on the grid, while Redding was unable to capitalise on his front row start after using up his tyre chasing down the leading group.

The Marc VDS duo are keen to make amends this weekend and both head to France with confidence restored following a successful two-day test at the Navarra circuit in Northern Spain earlier this week.

Part of the Circuit de la Sarthe, on which the legendary 24 Heures du Mans car race is run each year, the Bugatti circuit is dominated by second gear corners and short straights, demanding a bike that is stable under braking, but with good acceleration out of the low-speed turns.

For the second year running the Elf logo will be prominent on the bikes of Kallio and Redding, which will also run a special red, white and blue colour scheme at Le Mans this weekend. The Elf logo and the one-off livery are part of an agreement that will see the French oil and lubricants giant as the primary sponsor of the Marc VDS Racing Team for five races this season, starting with the French Grand Prix this weekend.

Michael Bartholemy: Team Principal

"We had some issues in Estoril, which is why we decided to test at short notice in Navarra before heading to the French Grand Prix in Le Mans. The weather conditions in Spain couldn't have been better and both Mika and Scott managed to make improvements to the set-up of their bikes over the two days. Now we head for France, which is an important race for us. For the second year running we welcome Elf as title sponsor for the French Grand Prix, where we'll run with a very distinctive red, white and blue livery. Elf have been a strong supporter of the team since the start and I hope we can repay their commitment with two good results this weekend at Le Mans."

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Front row for Redding at Estoril

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The Marc VDS Racing Team's Scott Redding will start tomorrow's Portuguese Moto2 Grand Prix from the front row of the grid, after qualifying third fastest at Estoril this afternoon. Mika Kallio will start the race from the sixth row of the grid, after struggling with set-up issues in today's two sessions.

Redding was on a charge from the start today, ending this morning's 45-minute free practice session third fastest behind Thomas Lüthi and Marc Marquez. Qualifying played out the same way, with Marquez and Lüthi again pushing the Marc VDS rider back to third place, but this time Redding managed to close the gap to just 0.3s compared to the 0.7s of this morning.

The 19-year-old Briton has looked strong all weekend and goes into tomorrow's race confident of being able to fight at the front. Starting from the front row of the grid is already a big advantage at Estoril, which features a tight first turn into which the Moto2 field will arrive at speed.

Kallio was disappointed to end qualifying only 17th fastest, after struggling with set-up issues in both 45-minute sessions today. The 29-year-old Finn simply didn't have the confidence to push for a fast time, on a bike that was moving around underneath him on corner entry and exit.

Despite the problems, Kallio is confident that he and his crew can find a solution overnight and that a top ten finish is still a possibility in tomorrow's 26-lap Moto2 race.

In a change to the normal schedule, the Moto2 race will be the first on the program tomorrow, starting at 11.20 local time.

Scott Redding

"It was close out there in qualifying today and right up until the end I wasn't sure I was going to make it onto the front row. I kept chipping away at the time, taking a tenth here and a tenth there, before jumping up to the front row right at the end of the session. It's more important to start at the front here than it is at a lot of other tracks, as it's a long run from the start to a first turn that comes back on itself. Everyone expects carnage in a Moto2 race and, with the top 16 separated by just one second today I don't think they're going to be disappointed tomorrow. Obviously I'm going to be pushing for the podium, but it's not going to be easy."

Mika Kallio

"Today was tough. A lack of grip has always been a problem here at this track, but I just couldn't seem to find any grip at all today. As soon as I turned in the bike would start moving around underneath me. Then, when I opened the gas on the exit it would start moving around again and I'd lose a lot of ground. I was a second off the pace, but it felt like I was completely over the limit. In qualifying I threw caution to the wind and just went for it right at the end. I was just 0.3s off the fastest time halfway round the lap, but then Zarco ran wide and we collided as he swung back onto the racing line and that was that. If we can make some improvements overnight then I think top ten is still possible, otherwise it's going to be a long race tomorrow!"

Michael Bartholemy: Team Principal

"Scott did a great job in both sessions today. He was fast and he was consistent and he showed quite clearly that we have the pace to run at the front of the race tomorrow. By qualifying on the front row of the grid he's given himself the best possible chance of fighting for a first podium finish this season, and that's exactly what I expect to see him doing tomorrow. Mika has had a tough day. The team have tried a number of different set-up options but we just can't seem to find the feeling that Mika needs to feel comfortable. We need to sit down with Mika and our engineers tonight, because we need to find a solution ahead of tomorrow's race. If we do, then I'm confident he can fight his way into the top ten."

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Redding tops the timesheet at Estoril

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Scott Redding was the fastest man on track at Estoril today, topping the timesheet during this afternoon's second free practice session. Mika Kallio was tenth fastest, after using today's two sessions to evaluate different front-end settings on his Kalex Moto2 machine.

Redding was third fastest in this morning's opening free practice session, which was run on a drying track but with damp patches still evident following overnight rain. The Marc VDS rider continued to run up the front during this afternoon's 45-minute session, for which the track had finally dried out fully.

The 19-year-old Briton posted his fastest time just after the halfway point this afternoon, in a session where all his flying laps were within just a few tenths of his fastest time. Redding was almost half a second clear at the top of the timesheet, until a concerted effort by Marc Marquez cut the gap to just two tenths shortly before the chequered flag.

Kallio struggled with the front-end set-up last timeout in Jerez, so focussed today on evaluating two different front suspension options on his Kalex Moto2 machine. Both options offered both positives and negatives, but the set-up for this afternoon's session didn’t give the 29-year-old Finn the necessary confidence to push for a fast lap time. Kallio is confident that his crew have a clear direction with the set-up for tomorrow's free practice and the all-important qualifying session.

Both Marc VDS riders are confident of fighting for a place on the front two rows of the grid during tomorrow afternoon's all-important qualifying session.

Michael Bartholemy: Team Principal

"I don't think I've ever seen Scott push so hard in a free practice session, but a lot of it was down to the confidence he now has in the bike after the race last weekend in Jerez. If qualifying is dry tomorrow then I'm confident he will start the race on Sunday from the front two rows of the grid. Mika used the two sessions today to evaluate different front-end set-up options on his bike, after some issues in Jerez. It meant he wasn't able to set a fast time this afternoon, but the work will pay off tomorrow in qualifying, when he too will be aiming for the front two rows of the grid."

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Redding and Kallio Targetting Top Five

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Marc VDS Racing will come to Jerez with a high target. Scott Redding and Mika Kallio are targeted on top 5 this weekend Moto2 race. Scott Redding told that top five or six is a realistic goal this weekend. Mika Kallio also feel the same. Kallio was set 4th fastest time at Jerez preseason test. Now they are confident to do better than Qatar

Scott Redding:

"I went to Qatar looking for a top six finish, which I managed, so I'm pretty confident I can aim for the same or better this weekend. I suspect it will be tougher than in Qatar though. With the amount of testing we do at Jerez it's like everyone's home track, so I think the times at the front will be closer than ever. I had some chatter problems during preseason testing there, but we found a few things in Qatar that should help reduce this. I was pretty fast at both preseason tests and my times for the race simulations were consistent, so I'm fairly confident that a top five or six finish is a realistic goal this weekend."

Mika Kallio:

"I think everyone was a little disappointed with Qatar; the result wasn't what we were expecting and we had quite a few problems over the course of the weekend. But we need to forget Qatar now and focus on this weekend's race. I was fourth fastest at the final preseason test at Jerez, so we know we have a good base set-up with which to start free practice on Friday. If I can qualify on the first two rows and then get away with the leading group in the race, then I think a top five finish should be well within our capabilities, or maybe even a podium. We will see."

Michael Bartholemy (Team Principal)

"We had our best start to the season for three years in Qatar, but that fact is tempered by the knowledge that with a better qualifying performance from Scott and Mika we could have finished the race even higher. Moto2 is such a competitive class that you can't afford to give your rivals even a small advantage, so qualifying is just one area we'll be focussing closely on this weekend in Jerez. We know we have a good set up for this track, where Scott and Mika were both fast and consistent during testing, so I hope to see them up at the sharp end in the race and battling for the top five finish they're both more than capable of."

interview from Marc VDS website

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