After three overseas races to kick off the 2018 season Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS land in Europe this weekend, for round four of the Moto2 World Championship at the Jerez circuit in Southern Spain.

With two podium finishes in the first three races Álex Márquez arrives in Jerez third in the championship standings and tied on points with second placed Mattia Pasini, with both just 10 points adrift of series leader and Americas GP winner, Francesco Bagnaia.

Márquez's confidence is high heading into the first of four home races at Jerez where he took his first win in the intermediate class 12 months ago, a feat he is keen to repeat this weekend.

Joan Mir arrives in Jerez off the back of an incredible performance last time out at the Americas GP in Austin. The reigning Moto3 World Champion was in 20th position at the end of the opening lap after being hit by Luca Marini in turn one, but battled his way through the field to finish an impressive fourth.

His Austin result marked out Moto2 rookie Mir as a rider to watch this season and a podium challenge is a realistic possibility for the Mallorcan this weekend at Jerez, as he looks to improve on his seventh position in the championship standings.

Both Márquez and Mir tested at the resurfaced Jerez circuit back in November, but warmer weather means track conditions will be very different for this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix.

Álex Márquez:
“It's been a good start to the season, with strong finishes in the three races so far and just a ten point gap to the top of the championship standings. We need to continue in this way when we land back in Europe and the calendar starts to get a bit busier, starting this weekend in Jerez. This is a track I really enjoy and it's where I took my first Moto2 win last year, so I'm looking forward to returning. The target is the podium, but if I have the possibility to win then I'll try to do exactly that.”

Joan Mir:
“The progression in my first three races in Moto2 has been good, with both my qualifying and finishing positions improving every race. We need to continue in this way once we land back in Europe. Jerez is quite a difficult track because everyone tests there and everyone is fast as a result. But we arrive for the next race with a good base and I'm looking forward to the weekend ahead.”