Front row for Oliveira and second row for Binder and Hanika

02/05/2015

Miguel Oliveira will start from the front row of the Spanish GP tomorrow. Brad Binder and Karel Hanika will do so from the second row in fourth and sixth place, respectively.

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The Red Bull KTM Ajo team had a positive second day of the Spanish GP, reflected by one of the best performances for the team in a qualifying session this season. After his first pole position of the year in Argentina, Miguel Oliveira took a third consecutive first row start with third place. Brad Binder, in fourth, equalled his best ever result in a qualifying session, while Hanika, sixth, repeated his second row start from the last round.

In the third and final practice session of the weekend, Oliveira, Binder and Hanika finished setting up their KTM bikes ahead of the qualifying session. Improving their times from Friday, Oliveira managed to go round in under the 1:47 mark, with a time of 1:46.959 that was sixth fastest in the session. He was followed closely by Brad Binder, seventh at the end of the run. Hanika also lowered his Friday top lap to take ninth place.

The Red Bull KTM Ajo riders faced qualifying with the clear aim of claiming positions high up on the starting grid for the Spanish GP. Oliveira was the first to set his fastest lap, on his second outing, with a time of 1:46.984. He was only 0.193s off pole position. Binder –fourth, 1:47.180– and Hanika –sixth, 1:47.198– waited until the final minutes to improve their lap times. On his last lap, the Czech rider highsided at Turn 9, but was unhurt in the incident.

The Moto3 Spanish GP, the fourth of the season, will start tomorrow at 11:00am (local time).

Results (Qualifying practice)
1. Fabio Quartararo (Honda) 1:46.791
2. Danny Kent (Honda) 1:46.911 +0.120
3. Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:46.984 +0.193
4. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:47.180 +0.389
5. Philipp Oettl (KTM) 1:47.194 +0.403
6. Karel Hanika (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:47.198 +0.407

Miguel Oliveira,
“I’m happy with the front row but perhaps not so much with my pace. I have not managed to complete a series of several laps with similar times. Nevertheless, I am satisfied with this front row, as starting without having to make up many positions is important. We are in good position to start the race. I’m happy because this weekend has not been easy for us so far. In the end we were able to gradually improve some details with the bike. The team did a great job. Tomorrow will be complicated from mid-race onwards, as that’s where the differences are made. We will give it our best shot.”

Brad Binder,
“It’s been a pretty good day. This morning I struggled during the practice session, and in the last six minutes we made some changes to the setup of the bike that I liked a lot. I felt more confident braking on corners, I enjoyed the last three laps and I was able to push hard. I achieved a fourth place in qualifying several times. For me, fourth position is fine, it’s usually in the race that I improve. This time I have a good position on the grid, so it will be easier on the first three laps. I think my pace is good because I completed three consecutive laps in an almost identical time, and my two fastest laps I set when riding by myself, so I feel strong and I’m sure that tomorrow I can do a good job.”

Karel Hanika,
“I’m glad to get a spot on the second row, which is not bad, but I think I could have done better because my pace has been very good all weekend. I am one of the few riders who set their best time alone, so this is very important for tomorrow. If we make a good start, I’m sure we can be in the leading group fighting for the top positions. The whole team have done a good job in qualifying. I was all alone for my hot lap with a very good pace. In the end, I got too close to another rider and I had to correct myself, which took me down. Fortunately I’m fine. It was a pretty heavy highside and I have a sore shoulder and right leg, but nothing serious for tomorrow.”

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