Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 riders check out the new asphalt and modified Turn 13 on an intensive day of testing.

This Monday, Miguel Oliveira and Brad Binder undertook a private test at the Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit, where the seventh event of the year will be held in just three weeks’s time. Defying the forecasts, the single-day test took place in perfect weather conditions, and was used to prepare the pair for the Moto2 World Championship’s next trip to the track, as well as this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix.

The Red Bull KTM Ajo riders continued finetuning the setup of their Moto2 machines, in addition to learning the characteristics of two new additions to the Spanish circuit: The resurfaced asphalt and the new Turn 13 that replaces the old chicane. Oliveira and Binder, who put in 104 and 94 laps respectively, also took advantage of the day of testing to try new chassis and suspension parts that KTM had brought to the track as well as Dunlop tyres for the new surface.

The Red Bull KTM Ajo duo will have their first opportunity to put into practice today’s testing results this Friday, when the Italian Grand Prix starts at Mugello.

44 MIGUEL OLIVEIRA
“We had a very productive day. We were working almost all day with the hard compound. In the middle of the day we tested many things, such as new parts and improvements for the chassis. Then we put on the softer compound and we did quite well; we were consistent and ran a good pace. We focused more on preparing the Catalan Grand Prix, but even so I think we have to improve at circuits where we use soft tyres and there is a lot of grip -like Le Mans. Luckily, this day can be used as a reference for when we visit tracks with these conditions. The new asphalt is not very bumpy and has very good grip, so I think they have done a very good job.”

41 BRAD BINDER
“The test went quite well. I really liked being able to ride today. We tried out many things and we have drawn some positive conclusions. As things are so tight in Moto2, any small improvement can be an advantage. I really enjoyed the new circuit layout and the new asphalt, which seems much better than what was there before. Today we worked very hard and we had a very positive test that gives us a lot of confidence ahead of Mugello; I think we can have a great weekend. What we have improved in the test allows us to have a better setup for the bike, and I’m sure that it will help us both at the next race and when we come back to Catalonia.”