Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 riders go straight into Q2, where they earn sixth and seventeenth place, respectively.

The starting grid for the second race of the 2019 season was established this afternoon at the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit. The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 riders enjoyed a positive day, lowering their lap times from Friday. Brad Binder and Jorge Martin went straight into Q2, and tomorrow they will start the race from 6th and 17th place, respectively.

Brad Binder began the day in top form, heading the FP3 timesheets early on and putting together a run of three consecutive fast laps. After leading the way for much of the session, the South African was eventually 11th fastest with a 1:43.186. The reigning Moto3 World Champion, Jorge Martin, continued to steadily lower his times, and rode a spectacular 1:43.000 lap that placed him 5th.

Those results took the Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 pair straight into Q2. In that 15 minute session, Brad Binder produced his best time of the weekend: 1:42.873. Tomorrow he will start from 6th place on the grid. His teammate, Martin, ended up 17th, and will take off from the sixth row.

The 23-lap second Moto2 race of 2019 will begin at 1:20pm local time. Red Bull KTM Ajo have twice been on the podium in Argentina in the last two years: 2nd in 2017 and 3rd in 2018.

Results Moto2 Qualifying session
1. Xavi Vierge (Kalex) 1:42.726
2. Marcel Schrotter (Kalex) 1:42.737 +0.011
3. Sam Lowes (Kalex) 1:42.738 +0.012
4. Alex Marquez (Kalex) 1:42.773 +0.047
5. Thomas Luthi (Kalex) 1:42.856 +0.130
6. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:42.873 +0.147
17. Jorge Martin (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:43.604 +0.878

41 BRAD BINDER

“Things have been quite difficult for us today. In qualifying we improved a bit; I felt we had taken a step forward and got close to the frontrunners. We had some issues, but I’m happy because the team worked very hard and we did a good job in the end. We need to improve a little more, and if we find the right path, I’m sure we’ll make that leap forward that will allow us to be with the riders at the front.”

88 JORGE MARTIN

“It’s been a strange day. This morning I felt good and I rode fast. In general, I had a good feeling and a great pace. However, in qualifying, everything was more difficult and I had some issues braking and opening the throttle on the corners. We have to work on this tomorrow, but luckily we still have the warm up in which try to regain the confidence we had in FP3. If we find it, tomorrow we can have a great race.”