Kallio and Redding sign off 2013 with points
Mika Kallio was left frustrated after a problem with his rear tyre saw him finish 14th in the final race of the season at Valencia today.
Kallio got a good start from 12th on the grid, forcing his way through the field on the opening lap to eventually slot into fifth place. Faster than those riders immediately ahead of him the Marc VDS rider looked all set to challenge for the podium, until the left hand side of his rear tyre started to lose rubber at the halfway point in the race. With points still on offer, the 31-year-old Finn decided to race on, eventually finishing a creditable 14th.
Scott Redding rode through the pain barrier to finish in the points today, on his final appearance for the Marc VDS Racing Team. The one point for 15th place in the final race of 2013 was enough to ensure that the 20-year-old Briton ends the season second in the Moto2 World Championship standings.
While Kallio will join Tito Rabat for two days of testing at Jerez on Thursday and Friday, Redding will bid farewell to the Marc VDS Racing Team after four years, as he makes the move to the premier MotoGP class for the 2014 season. Everyone in the Marc VDS Racing Team wishes Scott all the best for the future.
Livio Loi’s debut Grand Prix season ended in the gravel trap today, after the Marc VDS rider was involved in a collision with Francesco Bagnaia. After losing places on the opening lap, Loi had managed to fight his way back through into 21st position by the midpoint of the race, but then Bagnaia took his front wheel out on the entry to turn two and he crashed without injury. The Marc VDS rider was unable to re-join the race.
Loi will be hoping for better luck next weekend, when he returns to Valencia to contest the final CEV Moto3 race of the 2013 season.
Mika Kallio #36 // 14th
“It’s frustrating, because it looked like a podium finish was on the cards today. I got a good start and managed to move up to fifth, and my lap times were a little quicker than Jordi Torres who was in front of me. I thought I’d be able to work my way further up the order, but after five laps the rear grip started to drop off and then, two laps later, the whole bike started vibrating. I knew I was losing rubber off the tyre, because the feeling was the same as in Australia, but I decided to push on because it was still possible to finish in the points. Our set-up seems to exacerbate the tyre issue, so that’s something we need to focus on during winter and pre-season testing.”
Scott Redding #45 // 15th // @Reddingpower
“I decided not to have the painkilling injections ahead of the race, but that meant it was like I was in a war with my own body just to survive out there today. I went off the start and tried to be as aggressive as normal, not letting anyone by, despite a bit of contact early on. But then my back started to go; the wrist isn’t too bad, it’s the back injury from Motegi that’s been the problem all weekend. The first time I looked at my pit board there were 17 laps to go and I thought ‘no, I’ve only done ten laps and I’ve got that again and another seven laps yet’ so from then on it was a case of just hanging on. I couldn’t hold off Simon and Taka, but I managed to finish with one point, which could have been crucial for second in the championship if Tito had finished second in the race today. I want to say a big thank you to Marc van der Straten and the whole team for all their hard work and support, not just for this season, but for all four seasons we’ve been together. Thank you for everything.”
Livio Loi #11 // DNF // @LivioLoi
“This is not the way I wanted to end my rookie season. I got a pretty good start, but then I was pushed out at turn two and everyone just came past on the inside. I got my head down, managed to find a good rhythm and my lap times were good. I pushed my way back through to 21st, but then Bagnaia just came from nowhere on the entry to turn two and took away my front wheel. I don’t know what he was doing, and I don’t think he did either! It’s a disappointing end to what has been a hard rookie season, but now I need to pick myself up and focus on a good result next weekend in the final CEV Moto3 race.”
Michael Bartholemy // Team Principal
“It was a difficult race for Livio today, in more ways than one. He lost places on the opening lap and then, after working his way back through the field, got taken out by another rider. He has another chance next week to end his season on a high, when he returns for the CEV race here at Valencia, and I hope he takes it. Mika looked all set to battle for the podium five laps into today’s race, but a problem with his rear tyre put paid to that. I know he’ll be disappointed with the result, but he can take some consolation from fourth place in the championship standings. Scott has been in a lot of pain all weekend, but he was adamant that he was going to finish his last race for the team. His performance today was typical of Scott. Despite the pain he gritted his teeth and did what he needed to do to secure second place in the championship. It’s this determination and courage that I’m confident will make him a contender in MotoGP over the next few years. On behalf of Marc van der Straten and everyone in the Marc VDS Racing Team, I’d like to say a massive thank you to Scott for the last four years. It goes without saying that we wish him every success with his move to the premier class next season. He will be sorely missed by the Marc VDS racing family.”