After taking their first podium of the season at Motegi, expectations are high for Antonelli and Bendsneyder in Australia, at a circuit where the team have won on four of their last five visits.

The Red Bull KTM Ajo team had their effort and consistency rewarded this past weekend at Motegi, with Niccolo Antonelli taking his first podium finish of the year. The Italian rider and teammate Bo Bendsneyder -who reached the Top 10 in Japan after another good performance- are highly motivated for the sixteenth round of the season, which takes them to the iconic Phillip Island circuit.

Niccolo Antonelli put in a tremendous showing in Japan on a tricky raceday, crossing the finish line second and earning his first podium with the Red Bull KTM Ajo team. The Italian is confident of being able to repeat the success from last weekend, no matter what the weather conditions are Down Under. Antonelli’s best result at Phillip Island, where he has ridden four times, is an 8th place in 2013.

Bendsneyder also finished the Japanese GP well, adding a fifth Top 10 of the year to his tally after a demanding weekend. Phillip Island was another of the circuits that the Dutchman had to learn in 2017 during his rookie year, although on his debut there he claimed 10th position after fighting for the podium. With that experiencein mind, Bendsneyder is confident of taking a leap forward this weekend.

Phillip Island is a special track for the Red Bull KTM Ajo team. Between 2012 and 2016, the team took four wins from a possible five (Sandro Cortese in 2012, Jack Miller in 2014, Miguel Oliveira in 2015 and Brad Binder in 2016), plus two podiums (Luis Salom in 2013 and Brad Binder in 2015). The Moto3 World Championship race will be held at 13:00 local time, 4am CET. 

Circuit information – Phillip Island
Length: 4.448m / 2.764 miles
Width: 13mLeft corners: 7
Right corners: 5
Longest straight: 900m / 0.559 miles
Constructed: 1956
Modified: 1988 

  23 NICCOLO ANTONELLI 
“I arrive in Phillip Island very happy after getting our first podium of the season. The Australian track is very beautiful, but at the same time it is also tricky and demanding. I am very motivated after the result at Motegi and I hope we have a good weekend in Australia; it will be important to have a good race to demonstrate our strength.”

 64 BO BENDSNEYDER
“I really like Phillip Island; it is one of the most beautiful circuits on the Moto3 World Championship calendar. I can’t wait to start this weekend; I think that, hopefully, we can fight for the Top 10 like we did last week at Motegi. I will do my best to achieve the best possible result.”