Red Bull KTM Ajo hit Catalan GP at full throttle

01/06/2016

Brad Binder heads into Catalan Grand Prix 49 points clear as Moto3 World Championship leader. Bo Bendsneyder aims to get back amongst the points this weekend.

The Red Bull KTM Ajo team and Brad Binder arrive at the Barcelona-Catalunya CIrcuit on a roll and eager for further success. Having strung together a run of three straight wins and a further three podiums, drugs the South African has set out his stall as a strong candidate for the Moto3 title. However, the overall standings are not the main focus for Binder at this early juncture in the season. Meanwhile, rookie teammate Bo Bendsneyder is back at a circuit of which he has fond memories of last year –meaning he will not have to start from scratch this Friday.

Holding a perfect podium record of 6 podiums from as many races in 2016 –3 of them consecutive victories– have created a healthy 49-point lead for Brad Binder in the Moto3 standings. The Red Bull KTM Ajo rider is calm and confident as he heads to Catalonia in Spain, although he has yet to place on the rostrum at the track; on his last two visits there he finished in the Top 10 –with sixth place in 2014 his best result.

Bo Bendsneyder had two Top 10 finishes at the track last year, when the Dutchman was competing in the FIM CEV. The experience allows the 2015 champion of the Red Bull Rookies Cup to come into this weekend’s race with in-depth knowledge of the Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit. His aim is to improve his performance in the early laps of the race, as he continues to take strides forward in his rookie campaign.

The most recent victory for Red Bull KTM Ajo at the Catalan GP was in 2013, courtesy of Luis Salom. This year’s Moto3 race begins on Sunday from 11.00am.

Circuit information – Barcelona-Catalunya
Length: 4.727 m / 2.937 miles
Width: 12 metres
Left corners: 5
Right corners: 8
Longest straight: 1.047 m / 0.651 miles
Constructed: 1991
Modified: 1995

41 BRAD BINDER
“The Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit is an incredible track. In addition, I have the good fortune to be able to get there in my own car, without having to take a plane. It doesn’t seem like a big deal, but with the season being as long as it is, it’s something that is appreciated. I like the track, I enjoy riding there and I feel confident after the results of the first six races and the last three wins. We will try to follow the same path and continue working the same as always, or even harder. We’re taking each race as it comes; it doesn’t make sense to look at the overall standings right now.”

64 BO BENDSNEYDER
“It’s a track with which I am familiar, and whenever I’ve ridden there I’ve felt comfortable riding. We will have to work hard from FP1 onwards and especially try to improve on the early laps of the race, which is what has been lacking at recent GPs. After improving in QP, this is the next step we have to take to be fighting for the top positions. Last year I had some tests at the track and rode there in two races in the FIM CEV, so I know the layout well. I also got good results in those races –sixth and seventh– so I’ll have to do that again.”

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