After a wet and wild Australian Grand Prix last weekend, the Elf Marc VDS Racing Team has headed back into Asia for the Thai round at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram.

• After clinching a third win of 2023 in a demanding Phillip Island race that was red flagged due to gale force winds, Tony Arbolino is looking to build on that pre-Buriram boost to fight for a second successive victory in the Grand Prix of Thailand.
• And Sam Lowes is looking to end the Asia-Australia triple header in style when the action gets underway at 950am local time on Friday morning, with the 22-lap race ready for the green light at 1315pm on Sunday.

/// SAM LOWES

• The Briton arrives in Buriram in high spirits and ready to pose a threat for the podium after his strong challenge for the top three ended in an unfortunate crash in treacherous conditions at Phillip Island last weekend.
• The 33-year-old is eager to deliver a big result at the Chang International Circuit, having failed to score a point in his three previous visits to the high-speed venue.
• Lowes was still recovering from a serious left shoulder injury when he crossed the line in 19^th position last year in a race that was stopped and a result declared after eight laps because of torrential rain.

“I feel I’m riding at a high level”

“I feel ready to go to Thailand and ready to put last weekend behind us because I felt it was a great opportunity to fight for the podium even if the conditions were very difficult. Conditions this weekend should certainly be hotter but there’s always a chance of rain in this part of the world at this time of the year as we saw last year. I like this track and I think my riding has been at a high level lately, so we need to be positive and focus on being up there and challenging.”

/// TONY ARBOLINO

• Arbolino’s renowned skills and bravery in treacherously wet conditions came to the fore again in Australia when he produced yet another rain riding masterclass to win an encounter red-flagged on safety grounds with nine laps completed.
• The Italian’s sixth win saw him cut Pedro Acosta’s World Championship to 56 points and he has always been fast and competitive in Buriram, with points scoring finishes in both Moto3 appearances ahead of his sensational win in monsoon conditions one year ago.
• Arbolino qualified second in his first Thai Grand Prix in Moto2 last year and was leading Filip Salac by over a quarter-of-a-second in atrocious conditions caused by heavy rain when the race was red flagged, and result declared. 

“Coming back to Buriram is a special feeling after last year’s win”

“We arrive in Thailand with such a positive mindset and full of confidence after winning in such tough conditions in the wet last weekend. We now need to make sure we can be this strong and competitive for the rest of the season in dry conditions. Coming back to Buriram is special because of the good memories we have from last year. I won in very difficult conditions and the only goal is to go back and try and repeat that performance. We believe 100% as a whole team that we can go back and do a very good job.”