Gosselies, Belgium – 29 February 2016: Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS riders, Jack Miller and Tito Rabat, head this week to the Middle East and the Losail International Circuit in Qatar, the venue for the final preseason MotoGP test of 2016.

Miller returned to action at the Phillip Island test, after fracturing the tibia and fibula in his right leg in a training accident back in January. The Australian ended the three-day test at his home circuit 15th on the timesheet, but within a second of the fastest time, set by Marc Márquez.

With 10 right corners and only six lefts the Losail International Circuit will be a sterner test of Miller’s injured right leg, but the Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS rider is confident that the additional physiotherapy since Phillip Island will enable him to continue where he left off in Australia.

Rabat made a significant step forward at Phillip Island, as he continued his adaptation to the Honda RC213V he’ll campaign in Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS colours this season.

The former Moto2 World Champion made the most of the wet and dry conditions in Australia, with constant improvements boosting his confidence in both the bike and tyres.  On the final day Rabat’s last flying lap saw him close to within a second of the fastest riders, a gap he’s keen to reduce even further this week in Qatar.

Jack Miller:
“I’m really excited for Qatar. It will be my first opportunity to test the full package for the upcoming season and I’m looking forward to getting to work on that with my crew. With so many right turns compared to Phillip Island, the Losail track is going to be a little bit harder on my injury, but I’ve been working hard with my physiotherapist here in Australia the past few weeks, so I’m feeling positive.”

Tito Rabat:
“In Malaysia I struggled a little, especially the last day, but it was a new bike, new tyres and new electronics, so there was a lot to learn. Phillip Island was more positive; I started to understand better how the bike works and I made a big step during the last two days. Now we head to Qatar, a very different circuit again, but I need to apply what I learnt in Phillip Island, continue to increase both my feeling and understanding with the bike, so that I can make another step and improve my position on the timesheet.”

Michael Bartholemy: Team Principal
“Phillip Island was a good test for both Jack, who was returning from injury after missing the test in Sepang, and Tito, who is still adapting to the demands of the Honda RC213V after making the step up from Moto2. Both riders improved over the course of the three days and the times at the end were very close across the whole field. The Losail circuit is very different in nature to Phillip Island, but the aim remains the same, to close the gap to the front of the field. I’m confident we’ll see both riders make another significant step forward this week.”