The Marc VDS Racing Team has announced that Tito Rabat will remain with the team for the 2015 season.
Rabat, who is currently leading the Moto2 World Championship, having won four of the nine races so far, had an option in his contract that would see him released from the team to make the move up to MotoGP should he be crowned World Champion this season.
The 25-year-old Spaniard has decided against exercising this option and, instead, has committed himself to a second season in Moto2 with the Marc VDS Racing Team.
Should Rabat achieve his goal and win the championship this season, 2015 will be the first time the reigning Moto2 World Champion has returned to defend the title since the intermediate class switched from 250cc two-strokes to 600cc four-strokes in 2010.
Tito Rabat – “I’m happy to stay with Marc VDS in 2015 for a number of reasons, but the main one is because they are as committed to winning races as I am. I have a good team of people around me and they ensure I have everything I need to win, so why would I go anywhere else? Now everything is sorted we can focus on doing what we set out to do at the beginning of the season, which is to win races and the championship. Nobody has ever won the Moto2 World Championship and then returned the following year to defend the title, so I hope I will be the first.”
Michael Bartholemy // Team Principal – “Obviously I’m pleased that Tito will remain with the Marc VDS Racing Team next year, as I know he’s had quite a few offers to make the step up to MotoGP next season. That he’s made the decision to remain with the team now, rather than waiting, also shows just how committed he is to the job at hand. With the decision about his future made, he can focus completely on his main goal for this season; winning his and the team’s first ever World Championship title.”
Marc van der Straten // President, Marc VDS Racing Team – “When you have a rider in your team that isn’t just leading the championship but pretty much dominating it, then you know that MotoGP teams are going to be knocking on his door, and that’s exactly what’s happened with Tito this season. But, despite the offers, he’s made the decision to remain with the Marc VDS Racing Team for another season and I’m proud that he feels his future lies with us.”
