The Marc VDS Racing Team’s Livio Loi overcame a qualifying crash and tricky conditions to secure a top ten finish in both of today’s CEV Moto3 races at the Circuit de Catalunya.

Fast in the dry conditions of Friday, Loi struggled to find a good set-up on his Kalex-KTM Moto3 machine when the rain arrived on Saturday. The Belgian, who celebrated his 16th birthday yesterday, crashed in the closing stages of the final qualifying session and had to start both Moto3 races from 21st position on the grid.

Despite persistent rain making conditions tricky and grip unpredictable, Loi managed to fight his way through the field to finish tenth in both of today’s 16-lap Moto3 races.

The Marc VDS rider will now head south, to the Jerez circuit in Andalucía, where he will make his debut in the Moto3 World Championship next weekend.

Livio Loi Race 1 – 10th : Race 2 – 10th
“The opening day was the only dry track time we had and I was happy with my lap times, which I was able to improve with every exit. It was wet for qualifying and we struggled to find a good wet set-up on the bike for this track. It was very different to Jerez, where I was able to run in the top five in the wet. Here the front and rear were sliding everywhere, not just on the gas or on the brakes, and I had a fast crash at the end of the long straight as a result. We hadn’t solved the problem for the first race, so tenth was the best I could do in the conditions. We made some changes for the second race, but the feeling with the bike still wasn’t there and I ended up tenth again. At times it was like riding and ice speedway bike, but without the spikes! Now I’m looking forward to Jerez, where I’ll make my world championship debut next weekend.”

Michael Bartholemy: Team Principal
“Livio makes his world championship debut next weekend in Jerez, so he was under orders not to take any risks in Barcelona. In the dry on Friday he quickly got to grips with the track and posted some impressive lap times. The rain arrived on Saturday and remained for today, with Livio struggling to find a set-up in the wet that gave him the confidence he needed to push harder. Despite this, and a crash in qualifying that left him in 21st position on the grid, he still managed two top ten finishes against stiff competition and in tricky conditions today. He’s learning all the time and this weekend was good preparation for his Grand Prix debut next weekend.”