A hectic and crucial run of 10 races in 13 weeks to decide the Moto2 title chase commences this weekend, with the Elf Marc VDS Racing Team ready for action in round 11 at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

•  The fast and flowing 4.6km Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya provides the next challenge for Sam Lowes and Tony Arbolino, who are eager to get back in the podium fight this weekend.
•  The action gets underway on Friday morning at 950am local time, with the 21-lap race scheduled to commence at 1215pm local time.

/// SAM LOWES

• An unfortunate collision with another rider ruled Lowes out of contention in Austria last time out, which has only made the Briton more determined to bounce back in style this weekend in Barcelona.
• The 32-year-old makes his 10^th Moto2 appearance at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya this weekend where he has scored six top 10 finishes previously, with a best of second by less than a second from the front row in 2020.
• Lowes started sixth in the race last year but crashed out of top six contention with three laps remaining.

“It’s important to start this busy run with a positive result”

“Barcelona is always a great race weekend because the track is very special and a lot of us enjoy competing there. I’ve had some nice races in the past and hopefully another one is in store this weekend. Austria was obviously disappointing, and I will try my best to make up for that this weekend because it is important to start this very busy run of races with a positive result. I just want to get some momentum back and start this spell off on the right foot.”

/// TONY ARBOLINO

•  A gritty ride to another impressive top six finish in Austria’s Styrian mountains kept Arbolino firmly in title contention, with the Italian sitting just 12-points off the top of the standings at the halfway stage of a thrilling season.
• Arbolino, who has just signed a new contract to stay with the Elf Marc VDS Racing Team in 2024, has one podium finish at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya when he took second from pole position in the Moto3 encounter three years ago.
• The Italian has scored points in both of his previous Moto2 races in Barcelona, with a hard-fought 10^th last season his best.

“I have a lot of motivation to get back at the front”

“This weekend is a special one for me because I live in Barcelona, so it feels like my second home race. I come into this weekend with a lot of motivation to get back at the front. My crew and I have worked so hard recently, and I feel we are ready to be back where we should be. And that is fighting to be on the top step of the podium. I feel we can make a step this weekend and my big targets are to push at my maximum and be back running at the front. I’m confident we can do that to kick off this intense run in the best way possible.”