Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS successfully started the last pre-season test at the Losail International Circuit with Augusto Fernández as its only rider on track. Sam Lowes continues his recovery from a right shoulder injury.

• The first day of official testing in Qatari territory went to plan for Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS with track conditions affected by an imposing sun and temperatures of 25 degrees.
• Augusto Fernández completed the day’s three sessions posting a total of 54 laps. His fastest was a 2’00.022, which he clocked on the twelfth lap in the last session of the day.
• The team was focussed on finding the right base set-up for the first race of the season that starts here on 8^th March. That included testing different tyre options as well as running with a full tank of fuel and used rubber.
• Sam Lowes continues to recover from the right shoulder injury he sustained at a private test at Jerez. Although he will not participate in this test, the Briton is scheduled to travel to Qatar this weekend to meet up with the team and medical staff to assess the possibility of riding in the first Grand Prix of the year.

/// AUGUSTO FERNÁNDEZ, 15TH, 2’00.022, 54 laps:

“I am happy with the day. As it’s my first time here with the team we worked a lot on understanding the track and I ended the day with good feelings. We started better than we did at Jerez and we are getting closer to finding the base set-up that we want for the bike. We need to find a way to get the most out of a new tyre since we pretty much do the same lap time with new rubber as we do with one that is 30 laps old. Our pace is fine, but we must improve the fast lap. So we have clear targets for the next few days.”