Italian joins teammate Bo Bendsneyder in opening test for 2017 at Jerez Circuit.

Red Bull KTM Ajo welcomed new rider Niccolo Antonelli to the team at the Jerez Circuit on Wednesday. The Italian joined up with both his new crew and teammate Bo Bendsneyder -preparing for a second year with the team- for the first of two days of testing. Both riders had a good feeling with the new KTM bike designed for the 2017 season.

Good weather at the southern Spanish track helped the two riders to put in many laps, with Bendsneyder completing 71 and being one of the fastest riders of the day -continuing on from his excellent end to the 2016 season. Antonelli got the measure of the KTM on his opening encounter with the bike, making steady progress over the course of his 70 laps.

The duo will continue their work tomorrow on the second and final day of the Jerez test.

#23 Niccolo Antonelli
“It was a really beautiful, fun day, in which I was able to try the KTM for the first time. We tested various things throughout the day, making the most of the good weather here at Jerez. Tomorrow we will see what path to take with various aspects, but I enjoyed myself a lot and my feeling improved with every run. We still have to try and improve various points, although for a first day I am very happy.”

#64 Bo Bendsneyder
“Today was a good day in Jerez. We rode the new bike and improved a lot, in particular taking a step forward on slow corners. Now I am riding much more confidently compared to the last test and the GP we had here in 2016. I am very happy with the lap times, as the majority of them I set completely by myself. The good feeling is there, and now we just have to keep improving. I can’t wait for the second day of testing tomorrow.”