The Elf Marc VDS Racing Team is proud to be part of history this weekend when Sam Lowes and Tony Arbolino race at the Buddh International Circuit in India for the first time. 

• This weekend’s milestone round kicks off the most intense period in the 2023 Moto2 World Championship, with India the first of seven flyaway clashes and the opening round of eight in 10 weeks.
• Both Friday’s practice sessions will run over an extended 55 minutes to help Lowes and Arbolino familiarise themselves with the fast and flowing 5km layout.

/// SAM LOWES 

• The Briton heads to India eager to start the long run of overseas races in positive fashion after missing out on a deserved top six last time out at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli in San Marino.
• Lowes, who turned 33 last week, was running in a strong sixth place when a crash put him out of contention.
• Lowes is determined to bounce back in this weekend’s 19-lap race at the Buddh International Circuit to climb back into the top 10 in the World Championship rankings.

“It’s always exciting to race at a new track”

“It’s always an exciting prospect going to learn and race at a new track, and this will be my first time in India, so I can’t wait for the experience of being in a new country. I’m keen to get back on track and put Misano behind me because that was a disappointing outcome to a positive weekend. I had good speed and now I feel ready to get to India and fight for the top places. This weekend is the beginning of a very busy and very important period, and it is always nice to start the flyaways off in a good way. It gives you confidence and momentum but right now I’m looking forward to seeing the track for the first time on Thursday and then riding it on Friday so we can get up to speed quick and work on the bike to give us the best chance possible.”

/// TONY ARBOLINO 

• A tenacious ride from the third row of the grid to fourth place in front of nearly 80,000 passionate fans in Misano kept the Italian firmly in title contention with 12 of 20 rounds completed.
• Arbolino’s best result in the last five races means he heads into the flyaways fully confident that he can celebrate Moto2’s landmark first visit to India with a podium.
• The 23-year-old currently sits 34 points off the top of the standings in second with 200 points still to fight for in the remaining eight races.

“I need to make things happen”

“We are beginning this series of overseas races in India, and I really can’t wait to get going. This part of the season is hugely important for me and the team because now is the time rock in terms of the Championship. I need to make things happen now and I’m excited for what lies ahead. I’ve been doing some special training to prepare myself in the best possible way both mentally and physically for the hot conditions we’re going to encounter in the next few weeks. I feel confident and we had a fantastic run on the overseas races last year, so the goal is to be even stronger this season.”