Overnight rain and a wet track in Catalunya meant that it was late in the afternoon before the Marc VDS Racing Team’s Scott Redding and Vincent Lonbois had the opportunity to test their Suter MMX Moto2 machines for the very first time. Lonbois was the first to take to the track and start his familiarisation with the 600cc, four-stroke machine that he will campaign this year. With conditions still less than ideal, the 19-year-old Belgian rider focussed on learning the characteristics of both the Suter chassis and the supersport-tuned Honda CBR600 engine, completing 33 laps and working with his new crew to fine-tune his riding position in the process. Redding opted to wait until later in the afternoon, when a dry line slowly started to appear around the 4.727km/2.937 mile Montmelo circuit. With just 30 minutes of the test remaining, the 17-year-old British rider did an initial 3-lap shakedown to get a feel for the bike, before heading out to continue his familiarisation over a further 8 laps. Although track time was limited today, Redding and Lonbois both formed a favourable first impression of the Marc VDS Racing Team liveried Suter MMX machines. Both riders are also looking forward to starting the all-important base set-up work tomorrow, when the weather forecast promises much improved testing conditions. The President of the Marc VDS Racing Team, Marc van der Straten, was a very interested observer at today’s test. Although a long time participant in all forms of four-wheeled racing, today’s test was the first time that the Belgian motorsport enthusiast has seen racing motorcycles on track; a sight that he enjoyed immensely! Scott Redding #45 “The bike feels very different to the other Moto2 machines I’ve tested previously, but the overall feeling first time out was definitely good. The bike was a little lacking in feedback through the chassis, but there’s a good chance that this was down to the conditions today and it is something we will only be able to confirm if conditions improve tomorrow. Even with today’s limited track time I can tell that the bike has some potential and I have every confidence that my new crew will find away to realise this potential before the season gets underway in Qatar.” Vincent Lonbois #27 “The bike is very different to a Superstock machine. You notice how light it is straight away and, even with the difficult conditions today, it was very easy to ride. Today was a good first introduction to both the bike and my new team and, I have to say, I’m very happy with both. Already I have a good working relationship with my crew and this will help us as we work together to improve on what is already a good base set-up on the bike.” Marc Van Der Straten “Today I have discovered within me a passion to match that of car racing. It is incredible to watch the riders on track; to see a motorcycle almost on its side exiting a corner, when the track is visibly wet, illustrates just how skilled and fearless these riders are. I am definitely a motorcycle racing convert after today, and I am also very proud to be involved in such a fascinating championship, with what is proving to be a fantastic, and very professional, team of people.”