Can Öncü enjoys a positive start to the last Official Test, held at the Losail International Circuit.

Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 rider Can Öncü was out on track in Qatar on Friday, kicking off the first of three days of the final Official Test. The rookie holds previous experience of the Losail International Circuit from his time in the Asia Talent Cup -in 2016 and 2017-, and so he was able to concentrate on continuing to familiarise himself with the KTM bike with which he will make his full-time Grand Prix debut this season.

The Moto3 riders were the most affected by strong winds on Friday. Can would sit out the first session of the day but took part in the remaining two, putting in 33 laps. Satisfied with his work, the 15 year old Turkish rider concluded in 26th position on the combined timesheets, stopping the clock at 2:10.749

The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 team will have two more days of testing at the Losail International Circuit this weekend, in preparation for the opening round of 2019 at the same venue.

Combined standings Moto3 – Qatar Test Day 1
1. Tony Arbolino (Honda) 2:07.753
2. Romano Fenati (Honda) 2:07.854 + 0.101
3. Lorenzo Dalla Porta (Honda) 2:08.283 +0.530
4. Marcos Ramirez (Honda) 2:08.313 +0.560
5. Kaito Toba (Honda) 2:08.608 +0.855
26. Can Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 2:10.749 +2.996

61 CAN ÖNCÜ
“Today has been pretty positive. We used a few laps to freshen up my knowledge of the circuit. We’ve taken a step forward with the KTM and now I feel much more comfortable on the bike. Today was very windy, so the lap times weren’t as fast as we had expected. I don’t have much experience of riding in these conditions, but I’m learning a lot and I’m getting used to it, so we’ll improve little by little. We still have two more days in which to continue working and see where we really are. I will be pushing to keep making progress.”