Red Bull KTM Ajo enjoy positive weekend at Jerez-Angel Nieto Circuit, placing inside the Top 10 in both races. Deniz Öncü claims his best result of the season.

After finishing the 2018 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup as champion and runner-up, respectively, Can and Deniz Öncü took part in another two Moto3 Junior World Championship races at Jerez today. Deniz Öncü, seventh in Race 1, earned a season-best sixth in Race 2. Brother Can finished sixth and tenth.

In the first race of the day, Deniz Öncü made a great start from twelfth on the grid, leading the group chasing the podium for several laps. Starting from tenth, Can Öncü made a mistake on the first lap and dropped outside the points. He made a steady fightback and eventually reached the same group as his brother, fighting for sixth place during the second half of the race. A crash involving several riders on the final lap allowed Can and Deniz to cross the line sixth and seventh, respectively.

In Race 2, Deniz Öncü made a great start, gaining seven places on the opening corners. The Red Bull KTM Ajo rider was able to challenge for podium positions, but gradually lost contact with the leading group. Despite this, Deniz finished the second race in sixth place, his best result of the season. The second race was tougher for Can, as he struggled to follow the race pace from the beginning and had to settle for tenth position.

Can Öncü continues to climb positions in the Moto3 Junior World Championship and is now 9th with 49 points. Deniz Öncü moves up to 11th place with a total of 39 points. The FIM CEV returns in two weeks’ time, with a single race at the Albacete Circuit on October 13th-14th.

Results (Race 1)
1. Yuki Kunii (Honda) 28:45:198
2. Raul Fernandez (KTM) +0.133
3. Aleix Viu (Honda) +3.839
4. Jeremy Alcoba (Honda) +5.904
5. Manuel Pagliani (Honda) +9.282
6. Can Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) +10.985
7. Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) +11.192

Results (Race 2)
1. Sergio Garcia (Honda) 28:50:260
2. Ai Ogura (Honda) +0.030
3. Manuel Pagliani (Honda) +0.077
4. Yuki Kunii (Honda) +0.228
5. Raul Fernandez (KTM) +3.140
6. Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) +3.146
10. Can Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) +13.629

Moto3 Junior World Championship
1. Raul Fernandez (KTM) 155 points
2. Manuel Pagliani (Honda) 123 points
3. Yuki Kunii (Honda) 98 points
4. Sergio Garcia (Honda) 96 points
5. Jeremy Alcoba (Honda) 96 points
9. Can Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 49 points
11. Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 39 points

53 DENIZ ÖNCÜ

“In the first race I made a good start and was able to get up to fifth place after a few corners, but after the first lap several riders passed me. Even so, I continued to push throughout the whole race and finished seventh, just behind my brother.
In the second race I had a good start again, passed several riders and was able to reach the first group. They escaped and I finally finished sixth, which is a great result for me. I’m very happy because I have achieved my best result of the season and because I am improving more and more, race after race. The goal is to continue to improve and get closer to the podium positions.”

61 CAN ÖNCÜ

“In the first race I did well, but on the first lap I made a mistake and lost a lot of positions. After a few laps I was able to reach the second group and finally finished sixth. I’m happy with the race, especially because yesterday I had a crash and experienced a lot of pain in my back and leg.
In the second race I had another good start and the bike was going well, but with the pain I had a difficult time pushing hard. I tried to control the situation but reached my limit and had to settle for tenth position. Even so, we have managed to gain points and we are already in the Top 10 in the overall standings.”