After a long-haul tour of South and North America, the Elf Marc VDS Racing Team returns to Europe this weekend aiming to build on a fantastic start to the 2023 campaign at the Circuito de Jerez Angel-Nieto.

• The carnival atmosphere of the Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez awaits Tony Arbolino and Sam Lowes this weekend as the Elf Marc VDS Racing Team duo look to be podium contenders in round four of 21 this season.
• The weekend action commences at 950am local time, with Sunday’s 21-lap race starting an hour later normal at 13.15pm.

/// SAM LOWES

• The Briton arrives in Andalusia determined to push himself into the podium battle after kicking off 2023 with three points scoring finishes in Portugal, Argentina and America.
• An improvement in time attack mode to secure a better grid position is one of the key targets for the 32-year-old heading into this weekend.
• Lowes is a former Moto2 winner in Jerez when he dominated from pole position in 2016 and two years ago, he was back on the podium in third spot.

“I’m sure I can be in the battle for the podium”

“I really can’t wait to get to Jerez to get this phase of the European season underway. We have already tested the new bike in Jerez earlier this year, so I’m looking forward to having a good feeling from the opening practice session. The weather looks like it is going to be hot and that’s great for us and the fans. The race in Austin was disappointing but I see Jerez as the perfect opportunity to have a strong weekend and get the momentum back. If I can improve qualifying, then I’m sure I can be fighting at the front and be there in the battle for the podium.”

/// TONY ARBOLINO

• Arbolino’s phenomenal start to 2023 has seen the Italian establish a seven-point World Championship lead coming into Jerez after he finished on the podium in all three races so far.
• Arbolino finished second in a nail-biting last lap battle with Pedro Acosta in Austin in the previous round as the two showed why they are both rated as two big stars of the future.
• Third in Moto3 at the start of the delayed 2020 season was Arbolino’s first podium at Jerez and was back on the rostrum one year ago with third from the front row in Moto2.

“I love Jerez and want to put on another good show”

“Confidence is really high going into this weekend in Jerez after such a strong start to the season. We must focus on continuing this good level in Europe and it won’t be easy because Jerez is a track where everybody has a lot of experience. Everybody will be ready, but I’ve been working a lot with my crew since Austin to discuss how we can improve at Jerez, so we are fighting for the win again. It has been a great start to the season, but we can’t get carried away, but I love Jerez and look forward to putting on another good show this weekend.”