Red Bull KTM Ajo rider crosses the line fifth, but receives a penalty. Jorge Martin crashes out, five laps from the chequered flag.

The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 team experienced mixed fortunes in the second race of the 2019 season, held at Termas de Rio Hondo this weekend. Brad Binder was able to take fifth place, but Race Direction would later sanction him with a penalty for some manoeuvres that were deemed unsafe and he was dropped down to sixth. His teammate, Jorge Martin, suffered a crash in the final part of the race when he was riding in eleventh place.

Brad Binder, who started from the second row of the grid, dropped three positions at the start, completing the first lap in ninth place. However, the South African was quick to get on the pace, and on Lap 8 he reached the Top 5. With 7 laps remaining, the Red Bull KTM Ajo rider gave chase to the leading group and after some intense final laps, featuring many overtaking moves, Binder crossed the finish line fifth. His penalty meant that he would instead be awarded sixth.

In his second race as a Moto2 rider, Jorge Martin had a difficult start, conceding two places off the line to go back into 17th. The reigning Moto3 World Champion managed to recompose himself, making progress thereafter to reach 11th. Despite the good pace, the Spaniard would eventually crash out at Turn 5 with 5 laps remaining.

Brad Binder is now 7th in the overall standings, with Jorge Martín 21th. The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 riders will return to action from April 12-14th at Red Bull GP of The Americas, to be held in Austin, USA.

Results Moto2 Race
1. Lorenzo Baldassarri (Kalex) 39:46.000
2. Remy Gardner (Kalex) +1.244
3. Alex Marquez (Kalex) +1.817
4. Iker Lecuona (Kalex) +2.704
5. Marcel Schrotter (Kalex) +4.839
6. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) +4.707
DNF. Jorge Martin (Red Bull KTM Ajo)

Moto2 World Championship Standing 2019
1. Lorenzo Baldassarri (Kalex) 50 points
2. Remy Gardner (Kalex) 33 points
3. Marcel Schrotter (Kalex) 26 points
4. Alex Marquez (Kalex) 25 points
5. Thomas Luthi (Kalex) 20 points
7. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 14 points
21. Jorge Martin (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1 point

Aki Ajo – Team Manager

“We are positive, because the Qatar Grand Prix was very difficult for us, whilst this weekend we feel like we have taken steps forward. We had a test last week that helped us a bit, but there is still work to be done if we want to be at the front. Even if, the last few laps were very intense this is a positive result, since Brad [Binder] chased the first group. Jorge [Martin] suffered an unfortunate crash but he was having a solid race, fighting to enter the Top 10.”

41 BRAD BINDER

“We worked very hard throughout the weekend and we have continued to take steps forward. Although we still had issues at some points, we took things in the right direction. In the race I was doing well, but I also made a few small mistakes. We need to be more relaxed. I’m looking forward to the next race in Austin. It’s a good track and I’m going to give my best to keep moving forward.”

88 JORGE MARTIN

“It was a positive weekend. The race was going well, as I came back from low down on the grid and could have fought for the Top 10, but a small crash prevented us from doing that. Our pace was similar to that of the top riders and I could have had a great race. We have to keep working hard. I came into this round off the back of a recent operation and had not been training, and that hindered us a little. The important thing is that we have found a good base for Austin.”