Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS made a sensational return to Moto2 action in Germany today, with Xavi Vierge and Alex Márquez leading the way in FP2 before they ended a positive start to practice by setting the second and seventh fastest times respectively.

• After tackling Assen’s fast and flowing layout just five days ago, Vierge and Márquez faced a completely different challenge today as practice commenced at the tight, twisty and narrow Sachsenring.
• FP1 and FP2 today took place under cloudy skies with a stiff breeze buffeting the track throughout, but Vierge and Márquez both spent time at the top of the timesheets in an eventful afternoon session.
• Vierge ended a promising first day in second position overall, while Márquez placed fifth in FP2 and seventh on the combined standings.

Alex Márquez: 7th, 1:24.414, 41 laps, 151 km.

• Márquez finished 14th this morning after spending the entire 45-minute FP1 evaluating tyre durability and working on race pace. 
• Márquez decided to wait until 15 minutes from the end of FP2 before fitting a Dunlop soft compound rear tyre for the first time.
• Márquez immediately made a giant leap up the standings, with a 1:24.414 moving him into first place.
• Attacking to try and improve his lap time even further in the closing stages, Márquez fell unhurt at the Omega right-hander. He finally finished 5th the FP2.

“Today was positive and we are close to our best level”

“This morning I was better than my position suggested because I only used the hard rear tyre to work on the race pace and keep some soft tyres for the remainder of the weekend. When I put the soft tyre in for the first time this afternoon the balance of the bike was not the best, so for tomorrow we need to make some modifications. In general, today was positive and we are close to our best level. I’m fine after the crash at the end of FP2 and we understand what happened. The balance of the bike changed with the soft rear tyre but I am ready to adjust myself tomorrow.”
 

Xavi Vierge: 2nd, 1:24.328, 43 laps, 158 km.

• Vierge completed 21 laps this morning, with a best pace of 1:25.108 on his 18th lap placing the Spaniard in 18th position while he worked to improve gearbox settings and rear grip with his Kalex package.
• Pushing hard to challenge for the top three in FP2, Vierge ran off at the first turn and toppled over at slow speed in the gravel trap, with no damage to his machine.
• Vierge quickly returned to the track and a stunning pace of 1:24.328 rocketed him into first place with just over 10 minutes remaining.
• Only Brad Binder could beat Vierge’s impressive speed and the number 97 is confident of repeating his excellent form tomorrow morning to secure a place in Q2.

“I can’t remember the last time I felt so strong on the first day”

“Today was very positive and I can’t remember the last time I felt so strong on the first day. In FP1 I immediately felt good and we made a big change on the bike for FP2 knowing where we needed to improve. The biggest change was modifying the gearbox because most tracks we come to this year the bike performs completely differently with the Triumph engine. We were also able to find more rear grip and that was a good step. From the first lap this afternoon I felt comfortable and I could set a very fast pace. When I switched to a new rear tyre I could go much quicker and be inside the top three, so it was a very positive day.”