The Elf Marc VDS Racing Team ended a busy and productive winter testing campaign at the Algarve International Circuit today, with Tony Arbolino putting the finishing touches to his preparations for the start of the 2022 Moto2 World Championship.

• Arbolino and teammate Sam Lowes, who was absent from today’s action in Portimao with a recurring tendonitis issue in his left wrist, will return to track action on March 4 in Qatar for the opening Free Practice session of 2022 ahead of the much anticipated first race two days later.

/// TONY ARBOLINO

• Arbolino’s constant progression throughout the entire pre-season continued in impressive fashion today, with additional chassis set-up tweaks allowing him to gain more stability in high-speed corners.
• A busy final day included plans to complete a full 23-lap race simulation and the Italian was setting a fast and consistent pace when his long run was unfortunately interrupted by a red flag.
• Arbolino did get chance to assess Dunlop’s soft rear tyre option but rather than attack hard for a fast time he preferred to work on the balance of his Kalex machine with the extra grip available.

“We go to Qatar optimistic we can be competitive”

“We have worked incredibly hard over these three days in Portimao, and we made a lot of changes to the bike to find our ideal base set-up heading to the first race in Qatar. The crew really had to work so hard but I’m sure this will be rewarded when we go racing. We have understood a lot of things about our package at this test and we also found solutions to some of our problems, so we go to Qatar optimistic that we can be competitive. If we continue to work in the way we have done during winter testing then we can achieve some great results together this season. My crew and I go to Qatar fully motivated to show our best potential in the first race.”