Our commitment in Moto2
TotalEnergies and Moto2
In addition to its successes in the premier class, the TotalEnergies company has never neglected the lower categories, whether introductory or intermediate. In the 1970s, a number of riders were supported and wore the ELF colours: Jean-François Baldé, Olivier Chevalier, Michel Rougerie, Christian Léon... to name but a few. A few years later, the competition managers of the French energy company’s competition managers provided long-standing support for the French Vitesse team, with which Régis Laconi and Olivier Jacque excelled in 1993 and 1994. Two riders who were subsequently able to compete in the Grand Prix, again thanks to the support of the ELF brand. Since the advent of Moto2, created in 2010 to replace the 250 category and its two-stroke engines, TotalEnergies has been present in the intermediate class with the Marc VDS Racing structure. This loyalty has enabled the Belgian team to win three world championship titles with Tito Rabat in 2014, Franco Morbidelli in 2017 and Alex Marquez in 2019. Since 2020, the ELF brand has been the title sponsor, with the team taking the name ELF Marc VDS Racing. A strong commitment in an ultra-disputed category with unique engines, where the slightest detail affects performance. The regulations are more restrictive than in MotoGP, and the fuel cannot be changed during the season. On the other hand, with an unlimited fuel tank capacity, technicians are less restricted in terms of fuel consumption. So, priority is given to performance. This research is carried out on both fuel and lubricants. In 2025, Filip Salac and Jake Dixon will be wearing the ELF Marc VDS Racing colours.
The challenges
As is the case every year, the Moto2 category is being renewed, with riders moving up to MotoGP and others arriving from Moto3. Japanese rider Ai Ogura, who was crowned champion in 2024, has been chosen by the Aprilia Trackhouse team to make his debut in the premier class. Somkiat Chantra joins the Honda LCR team and Fermin Aldeguer the Ducati Gresini structure. In terms of new arrivals, the first of course is reigning Moto3 world champion David Alonso. A dominant performer last year, the Colombian is eagerly awaited this season as he makes his debut in the intermediate class. Daniel Holgado and Collin Veijer, who also shone in Moto3 last year, will obviously be hoping to make the most of their intermediate class debuts. Among the favourites, Aron Canet and Sergio Garcia figure prominently. The two Spaniards, who battled for the title last year, have no other objective than to succeed Ogura. A goal also shared by Manuel Gonzalez, third in the last championship and now a rider with the German team Dynavolt Intact GP, Tony Arbolino, recruited by the new Pramac team, Celestino Vieti, now a Speed Up rider and team-mate of Alonso Lopez, and Joe Roberts, still loyal to the American Racing team. Of course, the two ELF Marc VDS Racing riders are also hoping to make their mark at the front. Now equipped with a Boscoscuro chassis, the Englishman and the Czech rider will be able to take advantage of the experience of the Belgian structure to challenge for the Moto2 crown.
Update on March 2025
