The new Red Bull KTM Ajo lineup for the 2018 FIM CEV Junior World Championship season held a special two-day test this week, alongside World Championship riders.

The last two days have been very special for the Öncü twins, Can and Deniz. The Red Bull KTM Ajo riders, who will represent the team in the FIM CEV Junior World Championship next year, debuted this week with their team and in the class. Can and Deniz completed two days of testing on Thursday and Friday at the Jerez circuit, alongside Moto3 and Moto2 World Championship riders, to kick off the 2018 preseason.

The two days were very positive for the pair, and the weather favourable to their putting in many laps -more than 100 each-, on their first encounter with a Moto3 bike. Both Can -1:47.120- and Deniz -1:47.635- took an important step forward on Friday, improving their times from the previous day by more than a second.

The Öncü twins were accompanied by Darryn Binder, Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Moto3 World Championship rider for 2018, who watched the action from trackside. Binder underwent surgery on his left hand on Tuesday and was thus unable to test. The preseason for the two young riders will continue next week in Valencia.

#40 – Darryn Binder
“Today we finished our two days of testing in Jerez; unfortunately I could not ride due to operation to my left hand, but it was good to be here. I spent two days with the team watching how they work, I met everyone I saw how the team work with their riders, how they respond to them and the things they do. I am very happy with how the team have treated me over the last two days; I have been unable to ride but I enjoyed it very much and I look forward to next season.”

#53 – Deniz Öncü
“This was a positive two day test here at Jerez. On my first day with a Moto3 bike I put in a 1:48, which I think is not bad, and during the second day we tested the soft tyre but it was not the best for me. We went back to the intermediate tyre and in the end I finished with a 1:47. I’m very happy about this lap time and with the step forward we have made. The Moto3 bike is very fast and I really like riding it. It’s going to be a good year.”

#61 – Can Öncü
“The feeling after these first two days in Moto3 are very good; I have a great team! We have improved a lot throughout these two days and I am very happy. I wasn’t completely satisfied after the first day, because I wanted a better laptime, but it’s normal; it was my first experience with a Moto3 bike. Today we set a 1:47.1, I think it’s a good time for only the second day with this bike. I hope to continue making progress in Valencia.”