Gosselies, Belgium – 6 October 2014: The Grand Prix of Japan will be an important weekend for both the Marc VDS Racing Team and the 2014 Moto2 World Championship battle.

Tito Rabat currently heads the series standings with a 33-point advantage over teammate Mika Kallio, but Rabat could ensure that it’s a Marc VDS rider that will be crowned World Champion at the end of the season if he beats third placed Maverick Viñales this weekend.

Viñales currently trails Rabat by 74 points in the championship and with only 75 points on offer in the three races after Japan, should the Marc VDS rider score one more point than his compatriot at Motegi then it would be mathematically impossible for Viñales to win the championship, leaving only Rabat and Kallio in the running for the title.

While his Marc VDS teammates are focussed on their title battle, Moto3 rider Jorge Navarro heads to Japan looking to make amends for Aragon, where he crashed out of the race while running inside the top ten.

Tito Rabat:
“I like the Motegi circuit, but it’s one that holds good and bad memories for me. Two years ago I had my first Moto2 podium there, but last year I crashed out of the race on the opening lap and was lucky to walk away uninjured. This year I head to Japan with the same approach and the same goal as for every race so far this season; to work hard with the team, to give 100% in all weekend and, in the race, hopefully fight once again for the win.”

Mika Kallio:
“While it’s not one of my favourite tracks, Motegi has always been good for me in terms of results in the past. It’s a stop start track, where stability under heavy braking is critical, so we will have some set up work to do in free practice. The weather is notoriously unpredictable at Motegi, as we saw last year, but rain this weekend could well be to my advantage, as I’ve been a little stronger in the wet than Tito this season and it could be just what I need to fight back for the championship. Anyway, we will keep fighting.”

Jorge Navarro:
“I had good pace at Aragon, so I was really disappointed to crash out of the race. However, now the focus is on doing a good job in Japan. It will be a new track for me and a new experience too, as Motegi marks the start of three weeks away from Europe racing in Japan, Australia and Malaysia. I want to get the trip off to a strong start this weekend, with a good result for me and for the team.”

Michael Bartholemy // Team Principal
“This weekend could be an immensely important one for the Marc VDS Racing Team. Should Tito score one more point in the race than Maverick Viñales then we will go into the final three races of the season knowing that the 2014 Moto2 World Champion will be a Marc VDS rider. This fact adds some pressure, sure, but our approach this weekend will be the same as it’s been for every other weekend and I’m confident that both Tito and Mika will be up there and fighting for the win on Sunday, regardless of the points situation.”