Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS presented its Moto2 and Moto3 teams on the legendary Jarama circuit, in the north of Madrid, in Spain. Overview of expectations for these two categories.
The team has been fighting for the title in Moto2 and Moto3 for many years. She won it last year in the intermediate category with Franco Morbidelli, and hopes to repeat the feat in 2018 with, why not, a double with Moto3.
In any case, this is what the Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS Team is hoping for, which counts in its ranks two world champions in Moto2, Álex Márquez and Joan Mir, and two raw talents from the CEV in Moto3, Arón Canet and Alonso Lopez.
Ian Wheeler, the communications director, explained that in Moto2, “the team is used to having competition in the box, since it started in 2014 with Esteve Rabat and Mika Kallio, continued with Franco Morbidelli and Álex Márquez last year and continues this year with the latter and Joan Mir, reigning Moto3 world champion. This competition is beneficial for the drivers because it is healthy and it forces them to surpass themselves to beat the other. It’s ultimately something positive for them and for the team. » Wheeler, however, sent a very clear message to his drivers: “There is a golden rule: no jostling on the track! »
We indeed remember some muscular fights between teammates from last year. But Alex Marquez seems to have learned from its mistakes in 2017 and says it is ready to face 2018 more calmly: “Last year I perhaps made the mistake of wanting to rush into thinking too much about the title, which led to mistakes, falls and injuries so this time we will have to be realistic to manage the pressure. »
Number 73 is aware of being the big favorite for this year, but tries not to think too much about the predictions made about him: “People name me as the favorite, which is good, but above all we will have to prove it on the track. Many drivers will be able to win in Qatar, so we will have to work hard to always be in front. After three or four races we will see where everyone is and therefore who will be able to fight for the title. This year my goal is to always aim for victory. Our pre-season tests were very good, and beyond the results I had excellent feelings. The important thing will be to score big points in each race, then we'll see. »
Álex Márquez will have the rookie as his teammate Joan mir, reigning Moto3 world champion who has just arrived in the category. But don't be fooled by his beginner status, the Majorcan did not choose this team to find himself at the back of the grid: “If you want to win and fight in front you have to choose a top team and this one is one of the best in the field with two world titles. She also has a very good project with her presence in all categories from CEV to MotoGP, so all the assets for me to choose her. »
Mir seems very confident for 2018. He knows that as a newcomer he will have time to discover the category, and this freedom will allow him to seek results with very little pressure: “At the end of the year I will be happy if I see a clear improvement between the first and last race. The most important thing will be to always progress without ever taking a step back. And obviously, my goal is to fight in front as quickly as possible. »
In Moto3, the stakes are more or less the same with Arón Canet who is one of the favorites for the title this year, and Alonso López, a young arrival from CEV.
Entered the category in 2016, it only took a year to Aron Canet to establish yourself among the best and finish third in the championship in 2017! He therefore takes his status as title contender rather well: “Being considered a favorite for the title is a positive thing. This is a reality which means that we have worked well in recent years. » However, he does not openly display his goal of winning the world crown: “I believe that the best thing for this year is to face each race by giving my best, trying to always be consistent in each session and above all by maintaining myself in the first places in the race. We will have to score points little by little and we will see if at the end of the season we can play for the title. »
Regarding his opponents, his opinion is clear: “I think my main opponents will be Jorge Martín and Enea Bastianini, two drivers I know very well. Enea was my teammate last year, and I've known Jorge since I was seven years old. We therefore know our qualities and our faults on the track, which will make the races very entertaining. »
His teammate, Alonso Lopez, discovers the category, and already notices upheavals in his life: “A lot has changed for me since last year. Already, I can't go to high school as much as before, I have to dedicate all my time to motorcycling, but I'm still going to continue studying! »
Having to get used to the rhythm of the World Cup, he can count on people he knows well: “I believe that my advantage over other newcomers is that I already know my team with whom I worked in CEV. The only person I didn't really know is my chief engineer but we get along very well. My goal is to learn and always give one hundred percent. »
© Photos by Estrella Galicia 0,0.
