Tony Arbolino was taken out on the 1^st lap of the 18^th race of the 2024 Moto2 season, while Filip Salac finished 14^th after twice being pushed off track.

• After two days of dry weather, the elements turned on Sunday with Elf Marc VDS Racing Team riders Tony Arbolino and Filip Salac starting the Moto2 race in tricky conditions.
• Despite a brief shower of rain just before the race start at 13.15 local time, the track was dry enough to run slick tyres. The 22-lap race was then red flagged on the 20^th lap when rain started falling again.
• A total of 85,466 people were in attendance at the Chang International Circuit on Sunday to watch the 18^th race of the season.

/// TONY ARBOLINO – DNF

• Starting 7^th on the grid, Tony had a brilliant start and attacked the riders ahead into Turn 3, which resulted in him climbing to 5^th place.
• But Tony was to suffer great misfortune. As he entered Turn 5, he was taken out by an out-of-control rider, who started the corner some way behind. The Italian was unable to rejoin the race after the collision.
• This result means Tony is now 10^th in the World Championship standings with 135 points.

“Despite my injuries this weekend I was there to fight in the race”

“It was a real shame how this weekend played out. So many things went against us. But at the same time, we were there fighting at the front. We really showed our potential both yesterday and today. I’m a fighter and I showed that despite my injuries this weekend I was there to fight in the race. It is what it is. We need to keep going like this and in Malaysia I’m sure it will be my race, and the race where I show my true level. I want to thank the guys in my team for always giving their best and being there for me. Let’s keep going!

/// FILIP SALAC – 14^th

• Starting a season best 5^th on the grid, Filip was among the lead group on the 1^st lap when he  was caught up in the collision that ended his team-mate’s race, and had to run off track.
• The 22-year old rejoined in 25^th position and launched a comeback from there. He had climbed as high as 16^th when he was once again pushed off track by another rider on lap 6. He then picked up 5 places from 19^th in the laps that remained before the red flags came out.
• Filip remains 16^th in the World Championship with 61 points.

“We have strong rhythm so let’s carry this to the next one”

“It was an unlucky race. I had a good start and I kept my position. But then at Turn 5 another rider crashed into Tony and I had to go off the track to avoid the collision. I was nearly last and one second behind the rider ahead. I knew then my chances of a decent race were over. Then I was going with a fast pace and recovering positions. But when I passed one rider quite easily, he wanted to pass me back. He crashed and pushed me off track again so I lost another five seconds for nothing. It is what it is. The pace was good. I know we could have done a really good race today but sometimes these things happen. The good thing is we have strong rhythm so let’s carry this to the next one where we’ll try to put it right again!”