Jack Miller, Danny Kent and Karel Hanika debut with new team on first day of testing in Jerez.

The 2013 Moto3 World Championship season ended last Sunday, and this Thursday at Jerez the Red Bull KTM Ajo team turned their attention to 2014. For the first time, the riders for next year’s lineup —Jack Miller, Danny Kent and Karel Hanika— worked alongside their new mechanics and rode the KTM Moto3 bike with Red Bull KTM Ajo colours.

The three young riders had their first experience with a completely new bike for them. All three were satisfied, although each had a different feeling about the testing day. Jack Miller continues in the Moto3 class, albeit with a completely new machine to his 2013 mount. Danny Kent returns to the team after a year in Moto2, whilst Karel Hanika rides for the first time in the World Championship.

The Red Bull KTM Ajo riders will be back on track on Friday, for the second and final day of the test in Southern Spain.

Jack Miller – Audio
“It was a good first day of testing. We’ve made some great changes and put in many laps, and in the end we found a good first setup. We will have to keep working on it, because it is clear that today is only the first day with this bike. I feel very comfortable with the KTM, both with the engine and the chassis. I expected it to be more difficult to adapt, but the truth is that it went pretty well. We have to keep working, but I’m happy with how everything is going so far.”

Danny Kent – Audio
“The first day of my return to Moto3 didn’t go at all badly. For now we are ignoring the lap times and are only focusing on getting the feeling back with the KTM. This bike is faster and the chassis is different from what I am used to riding. I was not able to ride as fast as I wanted, because I’m still suffering with a sore shoulder from the break in Japan, and I am a little sad about that. For a first day, it was not bad. We have to keep working hard. I’m happy with how the day went, to be returning to this great team and this group of professionals who support me.”

Karel Hanika – Audio
“The truth is that the bike that I rode today is different to that which I was used to, so I need to put in more kilometres to go faster. Anyway, I think we made a significant step forward. I worked hard, changing various settings and found solutions that allowed us to go faster and faster. I can’t wait to get back on the KTM and have another good day of testing. The team did a great job; I’m very happy.”

*Audio solely for radio use