Binder places in Top 3 on last day of testing at Jerez
14/02/2018Red Bull KTM Moto2 riders Brad Binder and Miguel Oliveira complete the second 2018 Official Test in third and sixth position, respectively.
Brad Binder and Miguel Oliveira concluded a three-day test at the Jerez Circuit on Wednesday, closing the second Official Test of the preseason satisfied with their findings. Both continued to make progress with the setup of their KTM bikes and, for the third consecutive day, lowered their lap times at the Spanish track. Binder ended both Wednesday and the test itself third fastest, with his teammate in sixth place.
With the track surface in perfect condition for continually improving times, Binder put in 70 laps on Thursday. His biggest step up was in the final 20 minutes of the test, as he lowered his best time by 4 tenths and moved into the Top 3.
Oliveira focused on finding a setup that will make him competitive at all times during races. The Portuguese rider was already riding below the 1:42 barrier in the first hour of the morning, and did so again on numerous occasions throughout the day. His 1:41.982 time in the second session put him sixth.
The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 riders will only have three further days of testing -from March 6th to March 8th- before the first race of the season in Qatar.
Combined Standings Days 1-2-3
1. Alex Marquez (Kalex) 1:40.926
2. Francesco Bagnaia (Kalex) 1:41.260 +0.334
3. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:41.725 +0.799
4. Lorenzo Baldassarri (Kalex) 1:41.840 +0.914
5. Xavi Vierge (Kalex) 1:41.960 +1.034
6. Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:41.982 +1.056
44 MIGUEL OLIVEIRA
“Today has been a productive day in which we have once again shown a great pace. We also worked with a fast lap in mind, playing around with the bike setup, but in the end we didn’t find the perfect solution to getting more grip coming out of the corners. We’ve had three very positive days, with a great pace throughout, although we have not been able to repeat the lap time we achieved here in November. That indicates that we still have room for improvement ahead of the test here in March.”41 BRAD BINDER
“The three days of testing we’ve had here at Jerez have been quite positive, and day-by-day we’ve improved our lap times and pace. In each session I took tenths off my best lap, and that confirms how comfortable I have felt on the KTM. I feel we have worked very hard these days and that the team have done a great job; I want to thank them for that. I am happy about how everything is working out and the fact that we are already at a good level. Now it’s time to keep working hard at home, in order to come back here strong in two weeks and continue with our preseason.”