M2: German GP: Marc VDS preview

NEXT STOP SACHSENRING FOR MARC VDS

The Marc VDS Racing Team head for the Sachsenring circuit in Germany this week, where they are looking for two strong performances from Scott Redding and Hector Faubel, both of whom were forced to retire from the race last time out in Catalunya.

After the four ultra-fast circuits of Mugello, Silverstone, Assen and Catalunya, the Sachsenring track will present a different challenge for the Moto2 riders this weekend. The shortest track on the calendar, the twisty and technical 3.671km Sachsenring circuit features ten left-hand corners and only four rights, all linked by short straights.

Probably the most spectacular corner on the whole circuit is the downhill, right-hand turn eight, which will be taken at 200 km/h in fifth gear on a Moto2 bike and has been likened to dropping off the edge of the world. However, it's turn one that could well prove critical in Sunday's Moto2 race, as the field of 40 riders negotiate the tight, slow, downhill right-hander for the first time on the opening lap.

After both being involved in the first corner crash in Catalunya, Redding and Faubel are both well aware of the dangers posed by such a large field jostling for position on the opening lap around the tight and twisty Sachsenring circuit, where qualifying on the front three rows of the grid will be critical if the expected chaos at turn one is to be avoided.

The Marc VDS Racing Team head for Germany and round eight of the Moto2 World Championship off the back of a successful two-day test at Aragon; a track that makes similar demands on both bike and rider as Sachsenring.

Scott Redding #45
"Catalunya was a disappointment, but we had a very positive test at Aragon after the race and I'm confident we can bounce back this weekend at Sachsenring. I like the Sachsenring circuit; it's very different to the last four tracks we've raced at in that it's tight, technical and very demanding. It's right followed by left followed by right, with only a short straight on which to recover, and the up and down nature of the circuit means you tend to push a little bit harder than you would on the flat. Qualifying on the first three rows will be critical though, as turn one has the potential to be a complete nightmare at the start of the race. If we can't get through the first turn at Catalunya without a big crash, then there's not much hope at Sachsenring, where the first corner is much tighter and narrower. We'll try a slightly different approach to qualifying this weekend, which we hope will result in a better grid position for the race."

Hector Faubel #55
"Catalunya was a big disappointment. We made some big steps forward with the bike in practice and qualifying, only to be taken out at the first turn when Alex Debon crashed. The test at Aragon the following week was a positive one, which was some consolation, but now we must focus on finishing the race in Germany. It will be difficult at Sachsenring, as the track is very tight and twisty and we'll have 40 riders all battling for track position in qualifying and the race. It will be important to start the race from near the front of the grid, and that needs to be our first priority this weekend."

Michael Bartholemy: Team Manager
"Catalunya was a disaster, but the Aragon test immediately after was very positive. Qualifying is going to be more important than ever at Sachsenring, given the nature of the track and the difficulty in overtaking, so this is something that we need to focus on during the two free practice sessions. If we can get both riders onto the first three rows of the grid then we have a good chance in the race. Any further back than that and the opening laps in particular are going to be very difficult indeed. I just hope we don't get anyone trying to win the race at the first corner this weekend and taking out half the field, as happened at Catalunya. I'll be happy if we head into the summer break with two top ten finishes at Sachsenring."

-source: marc vds