EG 0,0 Marc VDS presented their 2018 project at the Circuito de Jarama in Madrid on Monday, with the premier class team also joined at the event by all the riders and teams throughout the incredible EG 0,0 Marc VDS structure – that’s six teams and 14 riders across all categories. But the MotoGP™ spotlight was on reigning Moto2™ Champion Franco Morbidelli and new teammate Tom Lüthi as the grand finale, with the two revealing their liveries for the season and talking to media ahead of their racing debut on their RC213Vs in the upcoming Qatar GP.
“It’s amazing to be able to move up to the premier class within the same team and with the same amazing atmosphere,” says Morbidelli. “I feel more comfortable doing it like this; with Estrella Galicia 0,0 and Marc VDS all these changes have been much less stressful – I have to thank them. I know I have a lot of work ahead of me in my first season in MotoGP and I don’t know what results I’ll be capable of, I just hope to keep improving in every session throughout the season.”
Teammate Lüthi, on the other hand, is a new arrival to the team – and he’s a fan from the off. And the Swiss intermediate class veteran – who has over 200 starts to his name as well as being a former 125 Champion – has a similar view of progress to that of Morbidelli.
“It’s fantastic to have been able to join EG 0,0 Marc VDS Racing, and I’ve found they’re a very professional team,” adds Lüthi. For me it’s important to know everything in the garage is under control, that’s a key to success. It’s still too early to know how the season will go because we’re still working in a lot of different areas at the same time. I’m still getting to know the bike and I don’t want to set concrete objectives at the moment.”
Michael Bartholemy, the Team Principal of EG 0,0 Marc VDS, was also on hand at the event – and praised the riders but also the structure, with the ladder within the team paying dividends as Morbidelli prepares to move up as the first Champion in EG 0,0 Marc VDS colours. He was the fastest rookie at the #QatarTest, but the countdown is now on for both Morbidelli and Lüthi as the first race appears on the horizion – and the fight for the coveted ‘Rookie of the Year’ crown starts to heat up.