championship, as the momentum swung towards Rabat in the final third of the season. On 1 September 2014, Marc VDS announced Álex Márquez would join the team in 2015 alongside Rabat, leaving Kallio to seek employment elsewhere for next season. Despite the news, Kallio pressed on and secured his third pole position at Misano, but once again on race day, he had to settle for second behind Rabat. In the final five races, Kallio would only secure one more podium, a second place in Malaysia, as Rabat scored enough points to seal the title. The final race at Valencia saw his only retirement of the season, as the Finn was slammed from behind by Maverick Vinales on the opening lap. The incident eliminated both riders, ending Mika's run of 31 consecutive points finishes, a career best. Nonetheless, Kallio clinched second place overall in the rider's standings, concluding the year with three wins, and a personal best of 288 points scored. 2015 On 26 September 2014, a contract was confirmed between Kallio and the Italtrans team for 2015 Moto2 season. The Finn veteran would be partnered with Italian Franco Morbidelli. After a highly successful 2014, 2015 would mark a total polar opposite in performance and results. Initially the season started solidly, with three top eight results from the opening three rounds. But a fourth place at Argentina would be the high point of what would develop into a very difficult season for Kallio. Four of the next seven races resulted in retirements. Indianapolis briefly offered a glimmer of hope after qualifying on the front row, until a crash with Sam Lowes ended his race. Despite the best efforts from both Kallio and Italtrans to find a solution to difficulties Kallio faced with the 2015 Kalex, there was seemingly little hope of improvement. After the Misano race, on 14 September 2015, it was decided upon that both parties would mutually agree to cancel the remainder of the contract, and part ways immediately. Days later, the QMMF Racing Team announced that Kallio would be joining the team for the rest of the season, on board a Speed Up, replacing Anthony West. Kallio finished inside the points for all five races with the team, to wrap-up 2015 on a slightly better note, to an otherwise very unsatisfactory season, down in 15th position in the rider's championship, with just 72 points. Return to MotoGP, as