Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS riders Alex Marquez and Joan Mir commence the most intensive phase of the Moto2 World Championship this weekend, with an historic first visit to the Buriram track in Thailand kicking off a sequence of four overseas races in the space of five weeks

Alex Marquez and Joan Mir embark on an exciting new adventure this weekend when the Spanish pair tackle the purpose-built 4.5km Buriram track in Thailand for the first time.

Their journey into the unknown will start in FP1 on Friday morning when the key goal will be to acclimatise themselves and their Kalex chassis to the track, which features long three straights, seven right and five left turns as part of a flat but challenging layout. Built at a cost of nearly 60m Euros, one of the most striking features of the Buriram venue is its vast main grandstand that seats an incredible 50,000 fans on top of the pits complex.

Alex Marquez can’t wait to showcase his skills in front of the Thai fans for the first time and he arrives in Buriram with confidence booming after a strong fight for victory in MotorLand Aragon kept him firmly in contention for third place in the overall World Championship rankings.

The Spaniard was less than 2.5s off the win in MotorLand Aragon and he is now hoping an excellent fourth place will provide the springboard for him to secure his first podium since the iconic Dutch TT in Assen in Buriram.

Joan Mir produced another first-rate performance in MotorLand Aragon when he fought his way to the seventh top six finish in his eye-catching maiden season in Moto2.

With none of his rivals having any previous experience of the Buriram track, which is situated 400kms northwest of Thailand’s bustling capital Bangkok, fast learner Mir is hoping the level playing field will help him contest for a fourth podium of the 2018 campaign in Sunday’s 24-lap encounter.

Marquez and Mir will get their first taste of the Thailand track in FP1 on Friday morning at 1055am local time. The Moto2 race is due to commence at 1220pm on Sunday afternoon.

Alex Marquez: 5th in the overall standings on 126-points

“Buriram is a new track for everybody and I’m excited to race in Thailand for the first time. I’ve spoken to some guys from MotoGP and they told me the track is not so complicated but some turns in the middle part you need to be very precise. The key on a new track is to understand it as quickly as possible and work well on the bike with the team to find a good set-up. Aragon was a very positive race for me even if I didn’t quite achieve my target of finishing on the podium, but hopefully the momentum gained can help me be competitive again in Buriram.”

Joan Mir: 6th in the overall standings on 124-points

“After the race at MotorLand we had the chance to make a test the following day. It was very windy, but at least we could try some different set-up solutions that will help in the next few races. Buriram is a new track, so it will be a good occasion for everyone. I’m looking forward to getting a quick feeling of the track and to be among the fastest riders in practice to be ready on Sunday for the race.”

Track facts / Buriram Circuit (Buriram, Thailand)

Length: 2.828 miles (4.554 metres)

Width: 39.37 ft. (12 metres)

Corners: 5 (left) + 7 (right)

Longest straight: 0.621 miles (1000 metres)

Moto2 Race: 24 laps, 67.9 miles (109.3 km)

References and records: New circuit