Niklas Ajo and Danny Kent take steps forward on the second day of the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix for 13th and 17th on the grid, respectively.

The starting grid for the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix was decided this afternoon in a calm qualifying session under favourable track conditions. Niklas Ajo and Danny Kent lowered their times from Friday and, on the last runout of the day, took thirteenth and seventeenth place on the timesheets, respectively. The Avant Tecno Husqvarna Ajo rider will start from the fifth row, whilst the Red Bull Husqvarna Ajo man will be a row behind on the sixth line.

On a completely dry track, the Husqvarna riders were able to enjoy a full 40 minutes to finish adjusting their setups in the morning, ahead of the afternoon qualifying session and the race tomorrow. Both riders lowered their times from yesterday in the first half of the session and used the remaining 20 minutes to ascend the timesheets. The final results were positive for Niklas Ajo and Danny Kent, who finished sixth (1:41.322) and eleventh (1:41.773), respectively.

A first return to the garage after a few minutes of the qualifying session allowed the Husqvarna riders to link up with Jack Miller and Karel Hanika, head out together and assist one another to set the best lap possible. Kent completed his best lap on his sixth time around, setting a 1:41.710 for seventeenth. Ajo further improved after an additional six laps for thirteenth, with a 1:41.419 time. Only the Red Bull Husqvarna Ajo managed to lower his time in the morning, as Ajo lost precious minutes due to a crash.

The Moto3 race takes place tomorrow at 11:00am local time. Ajo and Kent will be pushing for the podium and for Husqvarna’s best results of the year.

Results – Qualifying practice
1. Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:40.727
2. Efren Vazquez (Honda) 1:40.807 +0.080
3. Alex Marquez (Honda) 1:40.808 +0.081
4. Romano Fenati (KTM) 1:40.829 +0.102
5. Juanfran Guevara (Kalex KTM) 1:41.007 +0.280
13. Niklas Ajo (Avant Tecno Husqvarna Ajo) 1:41.419 +0.692
17. Danny Kent (Red Bull Husqvarna Ajo) 1:41.710 +0.983

Danny Kent >> Audio (solely for radio use)

“The qualifying session did not go as expected, and I’m a little disappointed with it. My expectations were for much higher than seventeenth position. Somehow, I did not feel as comfortable as before, especially in the front, but looking at the telemetry we know what we have to change, so tomorrow I hope will be a better day and we can make up positions.”

Niklas Ajo >> Audio (solely for radio use)

“This morning’s free practice session went quite well. I’ve found a good feeling on the bike again. The Husqvarna worked very well and I felt comfortable, setting a good, steady pace that allowed us to be amongst the fastest riders.

In the qualifying session we  also started well, setting a good lap in the second stint. On the final run I was little nervous and I suffered a crash that could have been avoided perfectly well. I lost a lot of time as a result. Overall, the feeling is very good. I think tomorrow there will be a large lead group and I hope to be in there. Whoever takes best care of the tyres will win.”