Darryn Binder and Can Öncü to line up for season finale in Valencia
14/11/2018The South African driver will compete in his last race for the team at Cheste, while the Red Bull KTM Ajo team’s 2019 rider will make his debut with a wildcard appearance.
Present and future for the Red Bull KTM Ajo team will combine at the last round of the 2018 Moto3 season. At the Ricardo Tormo Circuit, Darryn Binder will contest his final Grand Prix with the team and chase a second podium of the season, while Can Öncu, the rider chosen for next season, will debut in the World Championship as a wildcard.
At the end of a tough season, made more difficult by injuries, Darryn Binder has found form with a podium in Japan and his front row start in Australia. At Valencia, a Grand Prix that he missed last year through injury, the South African wants to finish the season well and bid farewell to the Red Bull KTM Ajo team with the best possible result.
Can Öncü will become the youngest rider in history to take part in a Moto3 race. The Turkish rider will participate in the Valencia Grand Prix as a wildcard, in his first encounter on track with the World Championship riders. Öncü is the 2018 Red Bull Rookies Cup champion and has two podium finishes in the FIM CEV as a member of the Red Bull KTM Ajo Junior Academy so far this season.
The last Moto3 race of the 2018 season will take place on Sunday at 11am local time, over 23 laps.
Circuit information – Ricardo Tormo
Length: 4km / 2,489 miles
Width: 12m
Left hand corners: 9
Right hand corners: 5
Longest straight: 876m / 0.544 miles
Built: 1999
40 DARRYN BINDER
“We’ve reached the last round of the season in Valencia and, frankly, I did not expect to finish it as strongly as I have been. It has been a difficult year for me, but in recent races I have managed to turn things around. The flyaway rounds were very good for us and we took important results. For this last race I want to enjoy myself and give everything I have. I really like the track and I would love to finish the season with another podium, to celebrate with my team and close this stage of my career with them.”61 CAN ÖNCÜ
“I feel happy, excited and a little nervous ahead of this first wildcard appearance in the Moto3 World Championship; I can’t wait to get on the bike on Friday. A few days ago we did a test here at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit and it was quite positive; we felt good. Although it’s not one of my favourite circuits, this track has many corners and that’s what I like. My goal is to have a good weekend, learn, and on Sunday have a good race that gives us the best possible result.”