Team Marc VDS is one of the Grand Prix Motorcycle Racing battleships, one of those teams that are able to battle both in MotoGP and Moto2 at top levels. It has a rather recent history, but it will have a long future.

This is what team Principal Michel Bartholemy revealed to Speedweek: “last year, during the Austrian GP, Marc van der Straten and I renewed our contract for another five years. It is an internal contract and has nothing to do with the Dorna contract. Marc therefore ensured that in the next five years he will guarantee a certain amount of money to the MotoGP team.”

In such uncertain times, having a solid financial backer is no small thing. The best for team Marc VDS to look toward the future. The Belgian team is currently connected to Honda in MotoGP, but things could change.

The contract with HRC is up at the end of the year and Dorna is pushing for all the Manufacturers to have satellite teams in the coming seasons. Therefore also Aprilia, KTM and Suzuki who do not have one, but without new teams being able to enter, someone will need to switch brands.

“I have no idea what will happen, but if Honda should choose to have only one client in 2018, Lucio Cecchinello certainly has a much longer relationship than we do - Bartholemy reflects - Our advantage is that we have the funds to have two bikes and we will be able to do that until the end of 2021. For Honda this could be a plus, but it is a decision that they will need to take.”