Miguel Oliveira and Brad Binder have their sights set on taking the team’s first Moto2 podium at the San Marino GP this weekend.

The final stretch of the 2018 season is approaching, and the Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 team head to the San Marino Grand Prix this weekend. After the races at Silverstone were cancelled, Miguel Oliveira (2nd in the overall standings, 3 points behind the leader) and Brad Binder (4th in the standings) have the opportunity to move up the order with a good result at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli.

Miguel Oliveira has unfinished business at Misano. Since his arrival in Moto2 he has not been able to score points at the Italian track, which gives him extra motivation for this weekend. In the battle for the lead of the intermediate class, Oliveira will try to repeat his good performance from 2015, when he took second in Moto3. Last year, in a rainy race, the Portuguese rider fought for a Top 3 finish but would not finish the contest.

Also targeting a Top 3 –in the overall standings– is Brad Binder, who won the San Marino GP in 2016, en route to being crowned Moto3 Champion. Last year, in his rookie season in Moto2, Binder finished fourth in a tough race held in the wet, and is optimistic about this weekend.

In preparation for the San Marino GP, both riders completed a positive test at MotorLand Aragon last week, which they hope will help them to take a good result this weekend. Binder would also get the opportunity to ride the KTM Moto2 bike that the factory are working on for 2019.

The Moto2 San Marino GP will start at 12:20pm local time on Sunday –25 laps. Red Bull KTM Ajo currently top the team standings in the Moto2 class.

Circuit information – Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli
Length: 4.226m / 2.626 miles
Width: 14m
Left corners: 6
Right corners: 10
Longest straight: 565m / 0.351 miles
Constructed: 1969
Modified: 2008

44 MIGUEL OLIVEIRA

“It was sad not to be able to race at the British GP; It is the first time I have experienced a situation like that firsthand, but I think that all parties involved were clear that the safety of the riders came first. We used last week to test at MotorLand Aragon, to try small setup changes that could help us in the next races. The conclusions were positive, although the track was not in perfect condition. Now we are thinking about Misano, a circuit where I think we can do very well. Last year we were fighting for the podium; we know where we can improve and we are ready to achieve our goal once again, to fight to be among the Top 3. We have to give our all.”

41 BRAD BINDER

“The Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli is a track that I usually enjoy a lot, and I also won there in 2016 so I have good memories of it. Last year, in the rain, we also did quite well; we finished fourth and we were strong throughout the race. Unfortunately we couldn’t race at Silverstone because of the rain and the conditions, but that motivates me more for this weekend; I think we can do very well. The test at Aragon was very good: On Wednesday we worked with this season’s bike to prepare for the next few races and on Thursday I tried the 2019 KTM Moto2 bike for the first time. I ended up very satisfied with the initial sensations. We have a month ahead with several test days, so I am very optimistic that they will help us for the final stretch of the season. At the moment, we are focusing on the San Marino GP.”