The Elf Marc VDS Racing Team embarks on the first double-header in the 2024 Moto2 World Championship this weekend, with Tony Arbolino and Filip Salac eager to shine in back-to-back races at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya and Mugello.

• With the European phase of the season in full swing, the magnificent Montmelo track on the outskirts of beautiful Barcelona hosts the sixth Moto2 round of the campaign this weekend.
• Arbolino and Salac begin preparations for the 21-lap race at 950am local time on Friday morning with the opening practice session scheduled to take place over 45 minutes.

/// TONY ARBOLINO

• Successive top 10 finishes in Jerez and Le Mans have been a welcome boost to Arbolino’s confidence and the Italian is looking to take another big step closer to podium contention this weekend in Barcelona.
• Arbolino crossed the line in 17^th position last season after struggling with a lack of rear grip, but he’s expecting to be much more competitive this weekend at the fast and flowing Catalunya track.
• Arbolino finished second in the 2020 Moto3 race from pole position and in three previous starts in Moto2 in Barcelona he scored a best of 10^th place two years ago.

“We are getting closer to where we need to be”

“This is a very important weekend for me because Barcelona almost feels like a second home after Italy. I’m very motivated to achieve a strong result this weekend and to continue the flow that I found in Le Mans. I felt stronger in France and I feel we can do a good job this weekend to get our best result of the season so far. We are getting closer to where we need to be and I’m sure we can be competitive again this weekend. And I hope to get a good result because it would be a great boost before heading to my home race in Mugello the following weekend.”

/// FILIP SALAC

• Salac showed incredible determination and desire last time out in Le Mans to shrug off the pain of a right wrist injury on his way to a courageous 11^th and he’s looking forward to competing in less discomfort this weekend at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
• The Czech rider failed to see the chequered flag in Barcelona last September with a retirement five laps from home.
• Having undergone round the clock treatment on his damaged wrist since the French Grand Prix, Salac is eyeing a first top 10 in Montmelo this weekend after taking a best of 12^th in the Moto3 race back in 2020.

“Barcelona feels like my home Grand Prix”

“Now I live in Barcelona this feels like my home Grand Prix and I can’t wait to get started this weekend. I really like the track because it has a fast and technical layout and I’m hoping to turnaround my fortunes there after having some bad luck in the past. I’ve only ever finished one race in Barcelona before and it feels quite strange, so I’m certainly hoping for some better luck this weekend. Le Mans wasn’t an easy race with the injury but I’m proud to have collected some points in very difficult circumstances. We need to see how the wrist is this weekend. I’m feeling better each day and hopefully it won’t be too much of an issue and we can have a strong weekend.”