Red Bull KTM Ajo pair close the last test of the year in Valencia with excellent feelings and both finishing among the Top 5.

The Red Bull KTM Ajo riders rounded off their on-track activity for the year with a final test at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit, where Miguel Oliveira and Brad Binder once again showed their good progression with the KTM bike they are developing for 2018. After two days of testing in Valencia, both confirmed their good feeling on next season’s bike before taking a well-deserved winter break.

During the first day of testing, Oliveira and Binder enjoyed the same level of comfort that had allowed them both to place on the podium in the season finale. Despite not having a transponder available for official timing, they set some of the best times of the day. On Tuesday, the Red Bull KTM Ajo duo were again among the fastest riders on track: Oliveira -1:34.988- was second quickest and Binder -1:35.386- was fifth, putting in 53 and 66 laps, respectively. Their results confirm the excellent immediate improvements made by KTM.

The next time that the Red Bull KTM Ajo riders will be on track with their KTM bikes will be next February, following the obligatory winter break.

Photo credit – Lucas Andreu

41 BRAD BINDER
“This test has gone really well. We tried many new things and some have given us very positive results. Overall, I’m very happy. I can’t believe that the year is over; I just felt like I was starting to get warmed up after the last three races, which were great. I’m looking forward to this break. I want to train very hard to return stronger next year and be ready to fight from the opening races.”

44 MIGUEL OLIVEIRA
“Everything went quite well here in Valencia. The two days of testing have been quite productive, and we were testing many of the things that we already tried out last week in Jerez -as well as making some changes to the setup and the suspensions. All the things we have worked on have been very positive, we ended the year going fast and with a good pace, and now we just have to finish our preparations for next season well. I’m looking forward to the 2018 tests, but now we have to enjoy this break.”