Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS are ready for the new season – with the covers pulled off their 2017 Honda MotoGP™ machinery ready for another assault on the premier class in 2017. The team presented their MotoGP™ effort with Jack Miller, 2016 Dutch GP winner, and Tito Rabat, 2014 Moto2™ World Champion, at the launch event in Madrid - alongside the entire EG0,0 Marc VDS Monlau structure.
The event began with the Monlau junior riders in the project presented by Emilio Alzamora, before moving through the ranks up to Moto3™ contenders Enea Bastianini and Aron Canet. Moto2™ line up Alex Marquez and Franco Morbidelli then took to the stage, before premier class challengers Jack Miller and Tito Rabat took over. EG0,0 Marc VDS team owner Marc van der Straten then took to the stage once the covers were off, thanking all those involved as his team prepares for another year in the MotoGP™ World Championship.
Jack Miller, who won his first premier class Grand Prix in 2016 with a stunning victory at a rain-soaked TT Circuit Assen, had a season marred with some injuries last year but continued his good run of progress in the premier class with more top tens and good points finishes. Tito Rabat, the 2014 Moto2™ World Champion, had a tough start to his premier class career but took a haul of 29 points across the season; wanting to continue his learning curve. Both riders set their sights high for 2017 as they fly the EG0,0 Marc VDS flag once again in 2017.
Jack Miller: "The win last year was great of course, but we also had a lot of injuries and problems. Now in preseason I've really focused on my physical preparation to be at 100% at the start of the season. I think I've managed that. The first two tests have gone well and I just hope to keep feeling better and better on the bike. I'm happy with the evolution of the Honda, which is really positive. The first year for me with EG0,0 has been impressive. When I arrived last year I didn't really know what to expect, but everything has been great overall. Now I hope we can have the same success this year. My goal is to keep improving and I'm happy to form part of the team."
Tito Rabat: “I'm taking on this year in a different way, now I have more experience. I finished last season quite well, we had a good race in Valencia and after we had a positive test. At the start of this year we haven't been lucky, but I'm really happy with the new chassis. I'm also happy with my new technical team. Now I also have Julian Simon with me. From a personal point of view, I'm very happy to have been part of the Estrella Galicia 0,0 team, together we have experienced some great moments."
Michael Bartholemy, Team Principal: "At the moment we have more than 50 people working in the MotoGP and Moto2 teams, with ten different nationalities. It's important to rely on the best, the best professionals and riders in the paddock. We have a great team and we're really proud of our riders. Last year we achieved a dream that changed the team forever. Winning in MotoGP only five years after starting this project in incredible because there are people who have been trying to do that for 20 years - and we did it as an Independent team."