Miguel Oliveira, Brad Binder and Karel Hanika seek to continue team’s streak of 3 consecutive years on the podium at the Australian track.

Oliveira, Japanese Moto3 Race 2015

Red Bull KTM Ajo are on a run of three consecutive podiums in the 2015 season, courtesy of Miguel Oliveira. The most recent of these was second position last weekend in Japan. Both the Portuguese and his teammates, Brad Binder and Karel Hanika, will be aiming for the rostrum this weekend in Australia. With this trio of riders, Red Bull KTM Ajo will also try to extend their good run of results at Phillip Island. Since the Moto3 class was introduced, the team has managed 2 wins at the Australian GP, through Sandro Cortese (2012) and Jack Miller (2014) –plus another 2 podiums with Arthur Sissis (2012) and Luis Salom (2013).

Oliveira is on his best ever streak in Moto3, and after the podium at Motegi is only nine points off second place in the World Championship. More comfortable than ever over his KTM, the Portuguese has already been on the podium at Phillip Island –placing second on his first visit in 2012– and that is the goal for this weekend.

Two crashes in the last two Grands Prix –at Aragon and Japan– whilst riding in podium positions, have prevented Binder from adding to his rostrum tally. Having always finished in the points on recent visits to Phillip Island, the Red Bull KTM Ajo rider this weekend hopes to fight for one of the top three positions.

Hanika comes to Australia happy with his eighth place in Japan. The Czech made a big comeback at Motegi that allowed him to forget recent unlucky races. In Australia last year he took thirteenth place on his first visit. This year, the goal is to fight amongst the leading group.

Time changes in Australia mean the Moto3 race will begin at 1pm local time –4am CET.

Circuit information – Phillip Island
Length: 4.448m / 2.764 miles
Width: 13m
Left corners: 7
Right corners: 5
Longest straight: 900m / 0.559 miles
Constructed: 1956
Modified: 1988

Miguel Oliveira,
“The race in Japan was difficult due to the track conditions, but we managed a very important podium. Now we go to Australia, where normally the races are contested between large groups of riders. If the weather permits, it will be a hotly contested race, to be decided as usual in this category on the last lap. The aim is to work well from Friday and get the maximum enjoyment out of the bike to add a fourth consecutive podium.”

Brad Binder,
“I finished the Japanese Grand Prix very disappointed with the end result, because we had the podium in our grasp and had had a very good weekend. Luckily we have another race soon after to forget about everything that happened. Phillip Island is a track where I really enjoy myself on the bike. Last year I was very strong there and I’m sure this weekend, if all goes well, we can fight to be on the podium again. After not getting a rostrum in Japan, I am more motivated than ever.”

Karel Hanika,
“After the Top 10 in Japan, I can’t wait to get to Australia. I love both the country and the circuit. I hope to feel comfortable with the bike, since last year it was not too bad for us there. I finished thirteenth on the first time I rode there, and the truth is that I enjoyed riding there.

It is a circuit with fast corners that are the key to setting good times. I think if we find a good setup, we can be in the leading group. It will be important to have a good QP to be at the front in the race. I hope to continue what we started at Motegi.”