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Elf Marc VDS Racing Team begins 2024 Moto2 and WorldSBK Challenge
Belgium’s magnificent Chateau de Modave was today the spectacular venue for the official presentation of the Elf Marc VDS Racing Team’s exciting 2024 plans, as the team prepares to fight for glory in Moto2 and WorldSBK this season.
The launch event also included the unveiling of the instantly recognizable Elf Mark VDS Racing Team livery, with the entire team in attendance along with main sponsors and key partners.
Mark van der Straaten, who has been a proud participant in Moto2 since its introduction in 2010, is thrilled to be returning to the Triumph-powered class for a 15th consecutive season with a multi-title winning team. The Italian, who finished runner-up in 2023 alongside rising star Tony Arbolino, will spearhead the Elf Mark VDS Racing Team’s challenge in a Karex machine alongside new signing Philippe Salac.
Arbolino will aim to join Marc VDS in the Moto2 title-winning ranks of Tito Rabat, Franco Morbidelli and Alex Marquez, and will be led by crew chief Lucio Nicatoro. Miguel Ángel Arias will oversee the data, while Aleix Piñol and Ben Do will be the mechanics. Xavi Angulo will oversee tires and fuel.
Elf Marc VDS Racing is delighted to be working with highly acclaimed Czech Republic rider Salak. Salak will be supported in his quest for 2024 success by experienced crew chief Gilles Bigault. Adria Perez will be responsible for data and telemetry, while mechanics Stephen Bradley and Anthony Couturier will complete the salak side of the garage. Ignacio Lorenzana is responsible for tires and fuel for both Arbolino and Salac.
The Elf Marc VDS Racing Team writes a new chapter in its successful history with an ambitious expansion that will take it to the World SBK Championship for the first time in 2024.
Sam Lowes joins from Moto2 to ride the Ducati Panigale V4 R machine, and a familiar face will lead the team as they aim for success in WorldSBK. After 10 seasons on the Grand Prix circuit, the last four of which were spent as part of the Elf Mark VDS Racing Team, Lowes returns to the WorldSBK paddock where he was crowned Supersport World Champion in 2013.
The British rider team will be led by crew chief Giovanni Crupi. Stefano Guidi will be in charge of telemetry alongside mechanics Carmine Oliva, Marco Pascucci and Nicolas Guichard.
Tony Arbolino
Moto2 rider
“I am very happy to be ready for my third year with this wonderful family. I am very grateful for the opportunity Marc has given me and I share his determination to win. On the track The support they have to help me perform is incredible and always gives me a big boost in any race. My only focus is to give them a big present back in 2024 and that will be the first It’s about fighting for the title from race to last race. I’ve already had several discussions with the members of the team and we know where we can improve to be stronger this year. With the change to Pirelli tyres, It’s going to be an interesting year ahead and I think it’s going to change the dynamics of racing a lot. This will require a new approach, but I’m ready for this new challenge and I look forward to working with Elf Marc VDS Racing Team I’m ready to get back to the top in Moto2. It’s great to have Philip with me too and I hope he shows his talent and pushes me a lot. Fast and competitive. Having strong teammates is also a good motivator. Our goal is to maintain a fast and consistent performance throughout the season and fight for a win every weekend. We have the ability to achieve that. We have the weapons to do it, so it comes down to hard work and being as prepared as possible to get the job done.”
philip salac
Moto2 rider
“I am honored to have been asked to ride as part of this great team and am very proud to have reached a part of my career where they trust me to take on projects of this magnitude and succeed. This livery is very famous in the paddock and I am honored to wear it in 2024. I would like to thank Marc and everyone involved in the team for helping me on this new journey in my career. I am very grateful. I wanted the opportunity to fight for the best possible result and the Elf Marc VDS Racing Team is the perfect place for me to achieve my goals. I signed a two-year contract I’m confident that it will take a little bit of pressure off me right away and that over time I’ll develop into the rider I know I can be. This is a family team and we’re all pulling in the same direction to win. I feel like that’s going to help the riders a lot. My goal is to finish inside the top five every weekend, fight for the podium and win a few races. I want to win a team championship with Tony and that’s a very important goal as well. I have a great relationship with Tony and I know how much talent and speed he has. And I’m sure sharing that box with him will help me grow.”
sam lowes
super bike rider
“I am very happy and proud to continue working with this great team and to be able to ride for Marc again. It is a big new challenge for me to change categories after a long time, and I am very happy and motivated. I would like to say a big thank you to Marc for asking me to be his team’s first rider at WorldSBK. The bike is beautiful and it feels great to ride the Ducati. The livery is great and I will be riding at WorldSBK. It’s very special to represent Marc and this team. I’m really excited to work with our new crew chief, Giovanni, to develop our understanding of the bike. Over the course of three race weekends, we will You just need to learn the , tires and formats. The first goal of the test is to make the bike yours and feel comfortable. You only need laps and mileage on the bike to understand a lot. But this will come someday and if I had to race today, I think I would do a good job. My goal is to fight for the front. I will fight for the podium and the win and put in a lot of effort. I want to learn. Becoming the top independent rider has to be my goal as well.”
mark van der straighten
team owner
“January 15, 2024 will always be a memorable day for me. Today we introduce our Moto2 team and the Elf Marc VDS Racing family grows with the arrival of our new WorldSBK team.” It was really beautiful to see our three machines and talented riders on stage and it is motivating to know that they are going to give it their all to achieve the goals that have been set. did. In Moto2, he will continue his quest for victories and podiums as he aims to win the World Championship with Tony Arbolino and Philippe Salac. At the World SBK Championship we face a big and exciting new challenge. Although we are just getting started, we are very well prepared and supported by the great talent of Sam Lowes and the technical quality of Ducati. We know that together we can achieve big things. Finally, we would like to express a huge thank you to all our friends and partners who continue to support our project and share our great passion season after season. Let’s enjoy the wonderful year 2024 together.
Pierre Gauthier Caroni
Vice President of Motorsports, Total Energy Marketing Services
“2024 marks a new phase in our historic partnership with the Marc VDS Racing Team. Since 2010 we have enjoyed great success with 46 wins and 3 Riders World Championship titles in Moto2 and MotoGP. We are proud to accompany Marc and his team in this new challenge, represented by the Superbike World Championship, as they continue their ELF adventure.Marc VDS Team in Moto2 . We share the same values and passion as Mark. The ELF brand is therefore proud to be the title sponsor of the Mark VDS Racing Team for the 2024 World SBK Championship and the 2024 Moto2 World Championship .”
Marco Zambenedetti
Ducati SBK Project Management Officer
“I am very happy to see the Ducati name shine alongside the Marc VDS Racing family. Three world titles in Moto2, more than a decade of impressive results and, above all, a commitment to excellence, make this team the ideal partner. Furthermore, we are delighted that Sam Lowes will be taking the reins of the Ducati Panigale V4 R Superbike. Ducati will do everything in his power to showcase his speed and talent, and his experience will help us grow. Finally, I would like to thank Marc van der Straten and the team for trusting Ducati to accompany us on this new WorldSBK adventure. It’s going to be an exciting season for everyone. I’m confident.”