Mika Kallio and Scott Redding head to the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello, round eight of the 2012 Moto2 World Championship, determined to add to the Marc VDS Racing Team's podium tally.

A Marc VDS rider has finished on the podium in four out of the last five races, with Kallio securing the team's most recent success with second in the German Grand Prix at Sachsenring on Sunday. Redding has three podium finishes to his name this season, having finished second in his home race at Silverstone and third at Le Mans and Assen.

Mugello is one of the fastest tracks on the Moto2 calendar and one that both Marc VDS riders count amongst their favourites. But it is not just the track with which Kallio and Redding will have to contend this weekend, the Italian Grand Prix is renowned for extreme temperatures and high humidity, which combined make the race particularly demanding for the protagonists.

One of the most picturesque circuits on the MotoGP calendar, the 5.245km Mugello track twists its way across two sides of a scenic valley deep in the Tuscan hills above the small town of Scarperia.

The circuit comprises six left-hand corners and nine rights, as well as regular changes of elevation. It also features many fast chicanes as well as slower technical sections and is notorious for being incredibly bumpy in places, especially on corner entry. The chicanes are taken at relatively high pace, and accuracy is vital in the last sector to keep momentum up to the final turn, out of which the riders launch themselves onto the 1.141km long main straight.

Mika Kallio #36:
“At the Sachsenring we found a setting with the bike that provided a good feeling for me, but also eliminated the problems we've experienced in the past with the severe drop off in rear grip at mid-race distance. Last weekend I was able to match the pace of Marc Marquez for most of the race, losing out only in the final six laps as the tyres went away. To finish second was a great result for me and for the team, and one I hope we can repeat this weekend at Mugello, which is a track that's always been a favourite of mine.”

Scott Redding #45:
“What else can I say; the Sachsenring was a disaster for us. We were on the back foot all weekend and then I crashed out of the race trying to make up places on the opening lap. But, while the result wasn't what we were hoping for, we certainly learnt a few things in Germany. We've also put it behind us now, to focus on this coming weekend at Mugello. It's not a track that's been particularly kind to me in the past, but it is one I enjoy racing at. It's fast and flowing, yet also quite technical in places and I think it will suit our Kalex Moto2 bike quite well. Last weekend was a disappointment and I'll be looking to make amends by being back up at the sharp end at Mugello.”

Michael Bartholemy: Team Principal
“Scott had a difficult weekend at the Sachsenring, but Mika's superb ride to second place illustrates quite clearly that we have two riders capable of finishing on the podium every weekend. Here at Mugello Mika needs to maintain the momentum built up in Germany, while Scott needs to rediscover the form that has seen him finish on the podium in three of the last five races. Mugello is a real rider's track, which suits both Mika and Scott, so I'm pretty confident we'll see both of them running up at the front this weekend.”