Scott Redding heads to this weekend's Gran Premi Aperol de Catalunya looking for another podium, to add to his third place finish last time out at Le Mans. Mika Kallio also heads to the Montmeló circuit in confident mood, after securing his best result of the season at the French Grand Prix just over a week ago.

This weekend's Gran Premi Aperol de Catalunya marks the start of an intense period of activity in the Moto2 World Championship. Five races in just seven weekends could see a major change in the championship standings ahead of the annual summer break.

Redding currently lies fifth in the standings, just 27 points adrift of championship leader Pol Espargaro, with Kallio a further 11 points off the top spot in sixth.

The 2012 Gran Premi Aperol de Catalunya will mark the 21st successive year that the Circuit de Catalunya has been used since it was first included in the World Championship in 1992. The circuit is characterised by long, constant-radius corners that place the emphasis on a flowing riding style, as well as excellent chassis and tyre performance.

Carrying speed through the final two turns and onto the long start finish straight is important, but a lot of time can also be lost in the stadium section, where good lines through the combination of turns are critical to a fast lap time.

A regular testing venue for Formula 1 teams, the Catalunya track is notoriously bumpy in places, despite extensive resurfacing work carried out in 2005.

Scott Redding: #45
“Barcelona is the first of a five race run in just seven weekends, so it's important to start with a good result. With results comes confidence, as we saw in Le Mans, and that always makes things easier, especially when there's no gap between races. I quite like the Montmeló circuit and, after the Navarra test and the Le Mans result, we know we head to Spain with a competitive package. The Spanish riders are going to be pushing hard in front of their home crowd, but I'm confident I can come away with a top five finish and maybe even challenge for the podium once again.”

Mika Kallio: #36
“I like the Barcelona track and it should suit out bike a bit better than Le Mans. It's a circuit that can be hard on tyres, especially if the weather is hot, and I think that could be to our advantage this weekend. My riding style is quite smooth compared to others, and this allows us to get more from the tyres than riders with a more aggressive style. Everything is in place and we go to Barcelona with no pressure, so it will be a case of getting on and doing our job. If it all comes together then I think this weekend I can be even closer to the leading riders, with a podium finish a realistic possibility.”

Michael Bartholemy: Team Principal
“It is important that we get this run of five races off to a strong start if Scott and Mika are to improve their position in the championship standings ahead of the summer break. Both riders will head to Catalunya with some confidence, after securing their best results of the season last time out at a very wet Le Mans. We know this weekend will be tough, with Pol Espargaro, Marc Marquez and the other Spanish riders keen to impress in front of their home crowd, but I'm confident that both Scott and Mika have the pace to challenge at the front once again. For Scott in particular, a good result this weekend in Barcelona would set him up perfectly for his own home Grand Prix, which takes place at Silverstone just two weeks later.”