Mika Kallio took his first podium finish of the 2012 season with a superb second place in the German Moto2 Grand Prix at the Sachsenring this afternoon.

Mika was starting from the front row of the grid for the first time this season, got away from the line cleanly and squeezed into second place on the run up to the first corner.

For the next laps Mika shadowed race leader Marc Marquez, matching the pace of the current championship leader but unable to find that little bit of extra pace needed to affect a pass. With six laps to go the Marc VDS rider experienced a drop off in grip from the rear tyre and was forced to let Marquez go.

Mika was briefly relegated to third by a hard charging Alex de Angelis right at the end of the race, but put in a pass with three laps to go to reclaim second position, which he then defended to the line.

The Marc VDS Racing Team now head to the Italian Grand Prix, which takes place at Mugello next weekend.

Mika Kallio #36: 2nd
- I was pretty confident I could fight for the podium before I lined up on the grid today. The bike has worked well in every session, and in all the weather conditions we've had here at Sachsenring. I got away from the line really well and managed to get cleanly through turn one, then it was just a case of settling into the race and finding my rhythm. I was able to match the lap times of Marc Marquez for most of the race, but in the last six laps I lost a little bit of grip and he was able to pull out a gap at the front.

- The drop off was enough to allow Alex de Angelis to catch and pass me, but there was no way I was going to let him take second place away from me. I reclaimed second with three laps to go and then held on to the chequered flag. I really enjoyed the battle with Marc and Alex, and I think they did too, and I'm obviously happy to be on the podium for the first time this season. I have to say a big thank you to the team, who worked hard to give me such a competitive bike this weekend.

Michael Bartholemy: Team Principal
- Mika has done a fantastic job all weekend, running at the front in every session and all conditions. He got a great start, settled into the race quickly and was able to match Marc Marquez lap for lap right up until the closing stages, but dropped back slightly as the rear tyre went off with just six laps to go. Mika had a good battle with de Angelis at the end of the race, getting the better of him right at the end to take second place. I'm really happy for him and his crew, as they've worked hard for this since the start of the season.