Red Bull KTM Ajo rider takes third place at Malaysian Grand Prix affected by difficult track conditions. Binder finishes seventeenth after a crash.

The 2016 Moto3 Malaysian Grand Prix ended with Red Bull KTM Ajo taking their sixth podium at the circuit, this time through Bo Bendsneyder. The Dutch rookie achieved third place in a race brought to an early end by a red flag, claiming his second rostrum finish of the season. The race was affected by high humidity on the track, which caused numerous crashes -including for new World Champion Brad Binder, who finally finished seventeenth.

Binder was one of the first to suffer from the high humidity, falling at Turn 7 of the third lap alongside three other riders while fighting for first position. Behind him, Bendsneyder managed to find his pace and moved into the podium spots 12 laps before the end.

As the Red Bull KTM Ajo team performed an incredible effort to get Binder’s KTM back on track, Bendsneyder continued his chase for second place. Once he had moved into the position, a red flag forced the race to conclude ahead of schedule, with the placings as of Lap 13 counting as definitive. That meant the Dutchman finished third, with Binder seventeenth.

The Moto3 World Championship, already won by Binder, comes to a close in 2 weeks’ time in Valencia. Bendsneyder occupies fifteenth position overall, thanks to his 16 points earned today.

Aki Ajo – Team Manager
“I haven’t got much to say about the Moto3 race, because I cannot understand why there were so many crashes; I think it has to be analysed. It was a shame that Brad [Binder] crashed when he was in the leading group. We should be happy that he is ok and has not suffered any injury. I am very happy with Bo [Bendsneyder] and his second podium because with each race he is showing that he is more mature. The whole team are doing a great job helping him, in all respects; he is also very strong mentally. Next year I am sure he will get great results.”

Results (Race)
1. Francesco Bagnaia (Mahindra) 29:29.351
2. Jakub Kornfeil (Honda) +7.108
3. Bo Bendsneyder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) +7.253
4. Fabio Quartararo (KTM) +8.469
5. Andrea Locatelli (KTM) +12.414
17. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) +3 laps

Moto3 World Championship Standing 2016
1. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 294 points
2. Enea Bastianini (Honda) 164 points
3. Francesco Bagnaia (Mahindra) 145 points
4. Jorge Navarro (Honda) 143 points
5. Nicolo Bulega (KTM) 129 points
15. Bo Bendsneyder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 75 points

41 BRAD BINDER
“For me the race was over earlier than expected, but I was enjoying myself on the bike. I do not know why, but both the rider ahead of me and some behind me slid after going over something. There was something on the track. It is unfortunate and disappointing, because I think we had the pace to fight for the victory. I cannot thank the team enough for the work they have done to get the bike ready again and get me back on track. They did an amazing job in just 5 minutes! Once on track I felt good, and it was easy to ride fast. It was good to see that I could remain competitive. I have to be happy because throughout the season we were lucky and this has happened to us when the Championship has already been decided. Now we have to enjoy the last race.”

64 BO BENDSNEYDER
“I am very happy to finish the Malaysian Grand Prix with my second podium of the season. I was riding behind Jakub [Kornfeil] for a few laps and was able to pass him on the final laps. It’s a shame because in the end, due to the red flag, we went back to the previous lap for the final standings -where I was third. It’s a pity, but getting on the podium again -at a circuit where I had never ridden before- is something incredible. I want to thank the team for all the work they have done over the weekend. Now we want to finish the season in Valencia with another good result.”