Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS riders Franco Morbidelli and Thomas Lüthi are geared up for an intensive second half of the 2018 MotoGP World Championship, which starts in Brno this weekend.

A fit and well rested Franco Morbidelli is determined to make a strong and competitive return to MotoGP action in the Czech Republic this weekend.

A fracture of the third metacarpal in his left hand meant the Italian star missed the Dutch TT in early July. The 2017 Moto2 World Champion then bravely attempted to ride through the pain barrier in the Sachsenring, but withdrew in Germany after FP1 to continue his rehabilitation.

Morbidelli has been able to resume his rigorous training schedule in the summer break and he is enthusiastic to ride his Honda RC213V machine in competitive action again to continue his quest to be crowned Rookie of the Year in 2018.

Thomas Lüthi enjoyed a deserved rest in the two-week summer break and he is feeling rejuvenated and ready to capitalize on crucial data gained during a private one-day test at Brno earlier this month.

The 5.4km Brno track has been the scene of great personal success in the past for Lüthi, who was a race winner back in 2005 in the 125cc class and he triumphed in a six-lap sprint race to win the Moto2 encounter one year ago.

Practice for the MotoGP field gets underway on Friday morning at 955am, with the 21-lap race scheduled to commence at 2pm local time on Sunday afternoon.

Franco Morbidelli: 17th in the overall standings on 19-points

“My hand is feeling much better and the rest after Germany was just what I needed to concentrate on getting myself as close to full fitness as possible for Brno. I was back on two wheels training last weekend, so I am confident I will be able to ride in Brno without too many issues and I’m confident we can continue working well with my team to improve the bike.”

Tom Lüthi: 24th in the overall standings

“I am really looking forward to being back with my team and on the bike this weekend in Brno. I tested at the track not so long ago, so I have a good reference and some information on the set-up. And it is the first time I’m going to a circuit where I’ve ridden a MotoGP machine on before for a long time. I hope this is an advantage for me, especially on the first day. When I look back on the Sachsenring there were many positives for me to take from that weekend and hopefully I can continue in that direction in Brno. The clear aim again is to try and break into the points and hopefully I can do it for the first time this weekend to make the best possible start to the second half of the season.”

Track facts / Brno Circuit (Brno, Czech Republic)

Length: 3.357 miles
Width: 15 meters
Corners: 6 (left) + 8 (right)
Longest straight: 0.395 miles
MotoGP Race: 21 laps (70.6 miles)
Best pole: Marc Marquez (1:54.596 – 2016)
Circuit record: Dani Pedrosa (1:56.027 – 2014)
Top speed: Andrea Iannone (196’3 mph – 2015)
2017 race winner: Marc Marquez (44’15.974)