M2: Qatari GP: Marc VDS preview

MARC VDS RACING TEAM HEAD FOR GRAND PRIX DEBUT

The Marc VDS Racing Team head for the Losail circuit in the Middle East this week, ahead of their world championship debut on two wheels at the season opening Commercialbank Grand Prix of Qatar.

Confidence is high on Scott Redding's side of the pit box, following the 17-year-old Briton's performance during the recent IRTA test at Jerez. Redding was fourth fastest overall at the test and is looking to carry this momentum into the first race of the season, where he's determined to secure a strong result for the Marc VDS Racing Team on their Moto2 debut.

Redding, who wrote his name in the record books as the youngest rider ever to win a Grand Prix when he took victory at Donington Park in 2008, has been given a top ten finish as his target by the team but is confident that, should everything go according to plan, top five is a realistic goal in Qatar.

Hector Faubel faces a baptism of fire this weekend, as he makes his debut for the Marc VDS Racing Team. The 26-year-old Spaniard heads for Qatar without the benefit of pre-season testing behind him but is looking forward to reacquainting himself with one of his favourite tracks, having won the 125cc Grand Prix of Qatar in 2007. Faubel is under no illusions as to how tough this weekend will be, but is looking forward to racing in the new Moto2 class after joining the team just one week before the season gets underway.

The Commercialbank Grand Prix of Qatar is unique in that it is the only race on the GP calendar to be held at night. The 5.380km / 3.434 mile Losail track is illuminated by 3,600 light fixtures burning a massive 5.4 million watts of power, creating enough light to cover an area equivalent to 70 football pitches.

Scott Redding: #45
"The final test in Jerez was a big boost in confidence for us, as I was able to run top five on the timesheet on all three days. The team has to take a lot of the credit for this; the way of working is ultra-professional and it's a real pleasure to be a part of. All this means we head for Qatar knowing we are capable of securing a good result for the team and repaying the faith that Marc van der Straten has shown in us. The team have given me a target of top ten this weekend and I'd be relatively happy with that, but I really do believe that a top five finish is on the cards if everything goes as smoothly as it did in Jerez. It will be interesting to see how Hector adapts to the bike, but I'm sure it won't be long before he's pushing me hard on the track. To say I've been looking forward to this weekend would be something of an understatement; I can't wait, so bring it on!"

Hector Faubel: #55
"The last months have been hard, trying to find a ride for this season but, finally, we found a great place with the Marc VDS Racing Team. For that I would like to thank Marc van der Straten and Michael Bartholemy for their trust in me. I want to make a great job for the team, but I know it's going to be hard at the start. I haven't tested the bike at all yet, so I will need some time during the first two races to get up to speed. Hopefully I will be on the pace by the time we return to Europe for the Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez. I've been training hard in the winter, and Qatar is one of my favourite circuits; I have good memories of winning the 125cc race there in 2007. Now I cannot wait to arrive in Qatar, meet all the team members and start to work with the Suter MMX bike."

Michael Bartholemy: Team Manager
"The new Moto2 championship promises to be ultra-competitive if the testing times are anything to go by, so we need a strong start to the season from Scott. He impressed during testing and heads for the first race determined to do well, but we'd be happy with a top ten finish in our Grand Prix debut. Of course, he is aiming higher, but that's what marks him out as a true racer! For Hector this will be a hard weekend. He has never ridden the bike before, so he has a lot to learn in a very short space of time. However, he is an experienced Grand Prix campaigner and I'm sure he will adapt quickly. The whole team has worked hard during pre-season testing, now we need to work even harder to secure the results we know our riders are capable of."

-source: marc vds