Cookie Consent by Free Privacy Policy website Positive first test for Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 project; Bendsneyder & Antonelli start 2017 Moto3 preseason
november 18, 2016 - KTM

Positive first test for Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 project; Bendsneyder & Antonelli start 2017 Moto3 preseason

Moto2
The first test for the Red Bull KTM Ajo #moto2 team concluded this Thursday at the Jerez Circuit, with positive data gathered for the rest of the 2017 preseason. Just as they did on Wednesday, Miguel Oliveira and Brad Binder followed different workplans, but both improved their feelings with a new machine that has provided improvement day by day and has great potential.

Miguel Oliveira's year of experience in #moto2 has helped the entire team to take important steps forward with each hour of testing. Good weather conditions at Jerez allowed the Portuguese to put in some 66 laps, including the first laps for the KTM with soft tyre compounds at this track.

Brad Binder continued with his adaptation to the class, completing 85 laps of the Andalusian track with a bike he is finding enjoyable to ride – although which he admits he needs more days to understand.

Aki Ajo (Team Manager): "We are very excited to be starting this project in #moto2 with the new WP KTM. It is clear that we are only at the beginning and it is important to carry out many tests. After these first two days, we already have information, in this case at a circuit that is not easy. I think we have started very well and it is very important to also get a lot of data from a track as different as #valencia is. Binder and Oliveira have done a great job. For Brad it was the first test in #moto2 so it's a big challenge. Miguel showed his great professionalism and has done very consistent work. I thank them both and the team for this good start."

Binder: "These two days of testing at Jerez have been very fun, and I have really enjoyed riding. I have tried to fully understand how to ride this #moto2 bike and I have had a great time. I have begun to notice improvements and find the way to go, but I know I will need many laps to understand it 100%. It was strange, because after a few consecutive laps I set a good time, but after going through the pits, I couldn’t understand how I had been able to get it. I just need to keep working hard and little by little everything will go better."

Oliveira: "Today we once again had many good hours on the track. This is the first time that KTM have been able to run the soft tyres at this track, so it has been a challenge since we had no previous reference; this is what prevented us from being able to go a little faster with new tyres. In any case, the day has been very positive because we have identified where we can improve the bike. This WP KTM #moto2 bike has a lot of potential! We are happy with these first two days of testing."

Work for the Red Bull KTM Ajo #moto2 project will continue next week in #valencia.

Moto3
This Thursday, Bo Bendsneyder and new Red Bull KTM Ajo teammate Niccolo Antonellicompleted the first two days of the 2017 preseason, in a test at the Jerez Circuit. The #moto3 pair ended the test happy and having enjoyed the benefit of extended track time thanks to fine weather.

For the second consecutive day, Bendsneyder was amongst the fastest riders in the class. The Dutchman, who completed a total of 86 laps, had two positive days of testing, capped with a small race simulation. Antonelli continued his adaptation to the KTM RC 250 GP this Thursday, improving his feeling with his new machine. The Italian escaped unharmed after crashing in this second day, and put in a total of 59 laps.
 
Ajo (Team Manager): "It's been two important testing days with the new 2017 KTM here in Jerez. Bo (Bendsneyder) is starting his second year in the class and with KTM, and is very confident already as part of the group. I have to say that he has done a great job, being very consistent and gathering very important data for the factory and the team. For Niccolo (Antonelli) it was the first time he rode with the KTM. It's never easy to change manufacturer and he wanted to go step by step, looking for the best possible feeling. It will be important to continue working hard in #valencia and to collect as much data as possible there."

Antonelli: "This second day in Jerez has been useful for continuing testing different aspects of the new KTM. We were able to push on with some setups and discard others. The whole team are working very well to find the perfect setup for next season. Next week, in #valencia, we will continue in the same way so as to reach the winter break with the work as far along as possible."

Bendsneyder: "This second day was another very positive one. In particular, in the first few hours we tried different setups, although it was not at that time that we set our best lap time. At the end we put on the soft tyres and our one-off time was really good, considering the track conditions. We had had time to do a race simulation and the pace was good. There is still work to be done, so I can’t wait to get back on the bike in #valencia."

The preseason 2017 continues next Monday and Tuesday in #valencia, with the final test before the winter break.