Brad Binder, Bo Bendsneyder, Jerez Moto3 test March 2016

Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Brad Binder and Bo Bendsneyder start Moto3 World Championship season at Losail this weekend.

03/16/2016 – Losail International Circuit, Qatar

The 2016 Moto3 World Championship season starts this weekend in Qatar, with Red Bull KTM Ajo set to play a starring role in the campaign. Running Brad Binder and Bo Bendsneyder as their riders for the year, the Finnish structure is once again one of the title favourites. Following a three-day test at the Losail International Circuit last week, the pair reach the first round of the year well prepared.

The Qatari track is not one of Brad Binder’s favourite tracks, but the South African hopes to change his fortunes this weekend. Last year, the Red Bull KTM Ajo rider took his best result at Losal with a Top 10 finish, but in 2016 he is hungry for more and has increased confidence with his bike.

For the current champion of the Red Bull Rookies Cup, Bo Bendsneyder, this will be a week to remember as he makes his debut in MotoGP. After riding in Qatar for the first time in the test last week, in which he placed in the Top 10 in several sessions, the Dutchman will be soaking up the occasion on Sunday and aiming to enjoy the weekend with the best possible result.

As well as being the only GP held at night, the Qatar round is also the only one held over four days. Thursday sees two free practices for the Moto3 riders, who have another session on Friday, qualifying on Saturday and the race itself on Sunday. The Red Bull KTM Ajo pair will kick off the season at 6pm local time on race day.

Circuit information – Losail
Length: 5.380 metres / 3.343 miles
Width: 12 metres
Left corners: 6
Right corners: 10
Longest straight: 1.068 metres / 0.664 miles
Constructed: 2004

Brad Binder,
“I come into the first round of the year very comfortable and confident on my KTM, because for the last three days of testing we worked very hard and the results were very positive. I think we have a good pace, not only with qualifying tyres but also with race rubber. With this feeling, I am very much looking forward to Sunday.

In previous years I have not had great experiences at this track, but this year everything is different. I am stronger and I feel much better with the bike. I have to stay relaxed, ignore the pressure and remember that this will be a long season -and this weekend is only the beginning. We’ll see how it goes, but we come here prepared.”

Bo Bendsneyder,
“The feeling I have a day out from my debut in the Moto3 World Championship is amazing. I can’t wait to ride the KTM and to get to Sunday’s race. This will be my first race and I’m really excited. After three days of testing last weekend, I can say that the Losail circuit is one that I like. I’m happy with how things went and with the setup experiments we did. However, we must continue to improve in practice. We’ll see how it goes at this first GP, and we will work hard to achieve the best possible result.”