Red Bull KTM Ajo round off second preseason test

16/02/2016

Brad Binder and Bo Bendsneyder continue work with their KTM bikes on Monday at the Circuito de Jerez, accumulating track time after rain and wind cancels their Sunday plans.

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After a first test last week in Valencia, the Red Bull KTM Ajo team travelled to Jerez for the second stage of their preseason schedule. Although unable to ride on Sunday due to bad weather, Brad Binder and Bo Bendsneyder did get out on track on Monday to prepare for the 2016 campaign –which begins in just over a month’s time in Qatar.

The first of the two days of testing scheduled at Jerez had to be suspended due to rain and wind, with gusts that reached 70km/h. On Monday the asphalt remained damp and temperatures only reached 5ºC, leading to further waiting.  Bendsneyder emerged from the garage at 11am and completed 56 laps, followed by teammate Binder at 12pm (62 laps), as they navigated a still-slippery surface. The Red Bull KTM Ajo riders focused on adding kilometres of experience on their bikes, rather than working on their setup, and avoided the crashes that caught out several of their fellow competitors.

The next time Bendsneyder and Binder will be on their KTM bikes will be in a fortnight’s time, at the Official Test at Jerez between March 2nd and 4th.

Brad Binder,
“It was difficult to go fast early in the day, but we were able to confirm some things that we had seen at the Valencia test. This is very positive, because it allows us to have options to change how we set up the rear shock. We have seen that one way works well when the track conditions are good, but the other is better when there is not as much grip. Today’s conditions were not very good, it was very windy and the asphalt was slippery, but the times we set were very good, so I’m very happy with the results.”

Bo Bendsneyder,
“Today we started a little late, because it was cold early in the day and the track was a bit wet. Yesterday it rained and today the surface was a little slippery, even though the wind helped to dry the track. In general, this has been a positive test, in which I’ve set good times and maintained a consistent pace, so I’m happy. We still have room for improvement with the rear, and from now on we will focus on working on this issue. We weren’t able to get a really good hot lap in because the track is not in perfect condition, but for now things are going well and I’m very happy with how the test has gone.”

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