M2: Mika Kallio comes to Marc VDS

MIKA KALLIO JOINS SCOTT REDDING AT MARC VDS

The Marc VDS Racing Team are pleased to announce that they have reached an agreement with Mika Kallio that will see the former MotoGP rider partner Scott Redding in the 2011 Moto2 World Championship.

The new rider line-up of Redding and Kallio combines youth with experience; Kallio is a seasoned Grand Prix campaigner who has successfully competed in the 125cc, 250cc and MotoGP classes previously.

The 27-year-old Finnish rider moves to the Marc VDS Racing Team after two seasons contesting the premier MotoGP class with Ducati, including three races with the factory team as a stand in for Casey Stoner.

Kallio will make his debut for the Marc VDS Racing Team during the Moto2 test at the Valencia circuit on Monday 8th November; the same day he celebrates his 28th birthday.

After a difficult year in the premier class in 2010, Kallio is looking forward to returning to the intermediate category, where he took five race wins over two seasons when the class was contested by 250cc two-strokes.

Mika Kallio #36:
"I had quite a few options in Moto2 for next year, but with Marc VDS I know I've found the right team for me. Their results in the second half of the season show clearly that they are one of the top teams on the grid and with them I know I can make good results next year. I'm sure there are some people who think this is a step backwards for me career wise, but I disagree. I think it is a great opportunity for me and I know that with this team I can be back at the front once again. The fact that the Marc VDS Racing Team are committed to stepping up to the MotoGP class in the future is also a very positive thing for me, as I have still feel I have unfinished business there. Now I just need to get a feel for the Suter MMX, starting tomorrow morning with my first test aboard the bike."

Michael Bartholemy: Team Manager
"We are very happy to have signed a rider of Mika's undoubted calibre. His track record in Grand Prix racing is an enviable one and he knows what it takes to fight for a World Championship, having done so in the 125cc class. Mika's experience will be invaluable to Scott Redding as he continues to develop as a rider and I'm confident that, together, they will form a formidable partnership in 2011."

Marc van der Straten: President, Marc VDS Racing Team
"In Mika we have an experienced campaigner who is still hungry for success. We spoke to a lot of riders about 2011, but Mika's determination made him the stand out choice for me. Tomorrow Mika celebrates his 28th birthday by riding our bike for the first time at Valencia and I am confident it will not take him long to make the transition to the Suter MMX Moto2 machine. Mika will be the second Finn to join Marc VDS family, as his compatriot Markus Palttala already contests the GT1 World Championship in one of our Ford GT cars."

-source: marc vds