The Elf Marc VDS Racing Team is back at full strength this weekend as Tony Arbolino and Filip Salac get set to take on the unique challenge posed by the incredible Circuit of the Americas in Austin.

• After missing the previous round in Portugal while recovering from arm pump surgery, Salac is back to partner Arbolino for a weekend in which the Elf Marc VDS Racing Team is targeting a first podium in the 2024 Moto2 World Championship.
• The action at the horsepower rodeo gets underway at 950am local time on Friday morning with Arbolino and Salac scheduled to race over 16 laps at 1215pm on Sunday.
   

/// TONY ARBOLINO

• Arbolino is hopeful that past success in Austin will inspire him to more glory this weekend as the Italian looks to inject some momentum into his early title challenge.
• The 23-year-old took the chequered flag at COTA in second position last season after an enthralling and tense showdown with Pedro Acosta went all the way down to the wire.
• And the spectacular Texas track will always have a special place in Arbolino’s heart after he claimed a maiden Moto2 Grand Prix victory there in a memorable 2022 encounter.

“Austin is a very special place to race”

“The whole team arrives in Austin hungrier than ever to get back to the front and get back in the battle for the podium. I feel after a complicated start to the season we understand the way we need to work to improve and I’m sure a good feeling will be back this weekend. Austin is of my favourite tracks, and it is a very special place to race. It is not easy, but I always love the challenge. We will work hard to show the potential we know we have and I’m sure we are very close to making a big step.”

/// FILIP SALAC

• Having undergone successful arm pump surgery immediately after the opening round in Qatar last month, Salac is raring to get back with the Elf Marc VDS Racing Team following his absence at the previous round in Portimao.
• COTA is the perfect place for Salac to return to action after he enjoyed a brilliant Grand Prix of the Americas there in 2023. The 22-year-old finish fifth after qualifying on the front row.
• Austin was also the venue for his first points scoring finish in the Moto2 World Championship when he crossed the line in 14^th place in his fourth start in the intermediate category back in 2022.

“I’m so excited to be back this weekend”

“I’m so excited to be back with the team this weekend and excited to be back racing after the arm pump operation. I’ve been working very hard to make sure I’m in the best physical shape as I can be, and I feel ready. The arm feels good we will need to be careful to manage the situation in the best possible way. Austin is one of my favourite tracks and last year I was fighting for pole position and finished top five in the race, so I go there with a lot of optimism.”