Red Bull KTM Ajo rider places eighth on the first day of testing at the Jerez Circuit – Angel Nieto. Jorge Martin will miss the rest of the test due to a small fracture suffered to his right foot.

The Red Bull KTM Ajo riders began their preparations for the 2019 Moto2 season with the first of three days of official testing at the Jerez Circuit – Angel Nieto. Brad Binder enjoyed a positive day, continuing work with the new KTM Moto2 bike. 2018 Moto3 World Champion, Jorge Martin, suffered a crash early in the afternoon, causing a small fracture to his right foot.

The track was wet in the morning after overnight rain, but Binder nevertheless ran a good pace in the opening hour. He took further steps forward as the day progressed, putting in 58 laps and placing eighth fastest thanks to a 1:42.740 best lap.

Jorge Martin had a difficult first day with Red Bull KTM Ajo. Despite his early adaptation to the intermediate class, the current Moto3 World Champion suffered a crash at Turn 2 early in the afternoon. A small fracture to his right foot incurred in the fall will rule him out of the rest of the test. He is currently travelling to Barcelona to undergo further examination and establish his recovery time.

The Moto2 test will continue on Saturday and Sunday at the Jerez Circuit – Angel Nieto.

Combined Standings Day 1
1. Lorenzo Baldassarri (Kalex) 1:42.203
2. Luca Marini (Kalex) 1:42.346 +0.143
3. Sam Lowes (Kalex) 1:42.485 +0.282
4. Augusto Fernandez (Kalex) 1:42.723 +0.520
5. Remy Gardner (Kalex) 1:42.736 +0.533
8. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:42.777 +0.574
15. Jorge Martin (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:43.361 +1.158

Aki Ajo – Team Manager
“On the first day of the 2019 season for the Moto2 class, everyone is excited. It is very important for us to start with the whole team together. The day began very well but unfortunately Jorge Martin crashed in the afternoon, suffering a small foot injury. He is in Barcelona for a check-up, after which we will know more about this injury.

Brad [Binder] completed a large number of laps at the end of the day, but it is only the first day and today we focused on trying out many things. Tomorrow we will test the chassis and the electronics and we are sure to take a step forward.”

Brad Binder #41
“Today was a good day. It was our first time with the new bike after the end of the season and we rode on a completely different track to last time. In general, I felt very comfortable and better as the laps went by. The team have worked very well; We have taken steps forward over the course of the day. I’m very happy with how everything went overall. We have a lot of work to do, but that’s the same for all of the teams. There is a lot to improve, but we have started in a positive way.”

Jorge Martin #88
“It was a positive day -despite the crash and my fracturing two bones in my foot. We had a great pace and I gradually gained confidence. I was on a very good lap, but chattering caused me to crash. It’s a shame and it makes me very angry to start my time with Red Bull KTM Ajo like this, but being positive it’s better that it happens now rather than in the middle of the season. Now it’s time to work to come back stronger.”