The Elf Marc VDS Racing Team’s whirlwind tour of Asia continues this weekend when the Moto2 World Championship makes a second visit to the magnificent Mandalika track on the stunning Indonesian island of Lombok

• Lowes and Arbolino kick off the first of two triple headers to conclude the 2023 campaign eager to bounce back from a difficult weekend last time out at the Mobility Resort Motegi in Japan.
• The action at the resurfaced 4.3km track gets underway at 950am local time on Friday and the 22-lap is scheduled to commence at 1315pm on Sunday afternoon.

/// SAM LOWES 

•  The 33-year-old is fired up and ready to fight at the front again in Indonesia after he unfortunately slid out of podium contention in Japan.
• The fast Mandalika track is perfectly suited to the Briton’s attacking style and he is looking forward to tackling the challenging 17-corner layout after a superb first outing there 18 over months ago.
• Lowes qualified on the front row in MotoGP’s first visit to Indonesian shores in 25 years last season and he took the chequered flag in a strong fourth position.

“We want to start this triple-header fighting for the podium”

“I’m really looking forward to racing in Indonesia again. We went there for the first time last year and it was a fantastic experience. I started on the front row last season and then had a nice fourth place in the race, so I’m looking forward to another positive result. The last few races have been unfortunate for us with mistakes from myself and some bad luck as well, so we need to stop this tough spell and I think Indonesia gives us the perfect opportunity to do that. In that period my speed has still be quite good, so there’s no reason why we can’t start this triple-header fighting for the podium again.”

/// TONY ARBOLINO

•  A tough Japanese round has only strengthened Arbolino’s determination to bounce back in style this weekend in his bid to be crowned Moto2 World Champion in 2023.
• Arbolino finished just outside the top 10 in Motegi, and the Italian arrives in Indonesia sitting 50 points off the top of the standings with 150 still left to fight for.
• The 23-year-old started and finished eighth in Mandalika in last season, and he was only just over two seconds away from the top six in searing heat and humidity.

“All we can do is go for it”

“I’m feeling very confident and very motivated for this last push. This is without doubt the most intense and important part of the Championship and I feel more ready than ever. I know myself and my crew are ready to give everything in these next few weeks and working together is going to be hugely important. I feel like I’ve prepared myself in the best possible way and all we can do is go for it.”