Deniz Öncü joins brother Can Öncü in Red Bull KTM Ajo team at Brno
31/07/2019Can Öncü prepares for the tenth race of the season alongside his brother Deniz, who will make his World Championship debut this weekend.
The summer break is over and the Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 return to action at the legendary Brno circuit this weekend, for the tenth round of the season. There will be an important addition to the team lineup in the Czech Grand Prix, as Can Öncü will be joined by his twin brother on track. Deniz Öncü is now all set for his World Championship debut as a wildcard, as he has the opportunity to compete in the next two rounds: in Brno and Spielberg, Austria.
Can concluded the first half of the season with a positive result at Sachsenring, where the rookie recorded his first points of the year, crossing the finish line in 14th position. Now, the Turkish rider heads to a track that he knows well, having achieved a victory there in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup in 2017.
On the other hand, Deniz will see his dream of debuting in the World Championship become a reality this weekend. The 16-year-old rider is competing in the FIM Junior World Championship with the Red Bull KTM Ajo team this season and he will share a box at the Czech GP with his twin Can. The Turkish youngster also has good memories of Brno, too, as he also achieved a Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup win at the Czech track in 2017 – on the same weekend as his brother.
The 18-lap Moto3 race takes place on Sunday 4th August at 11 am local time. On previous visits to Brno, the Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 team scored a victory, courtesy of Luis Salom in 2013, as well as two other podiums, with Sandro Cortese in 2012 and with Brad Binder in 2016.
Circuit information – Automotodrom Brno
Length: 5.403 m / 3,36 miles
Width: 15 m / 49.21 ft.
Left corners: 6
Right corners: 8
Longest straight: 636 m / 0,395 miles
Constructed: 1987
61 CAN ÖNCÜ
“This summer break was very useful for me, as I took the time to prepare physically and mentally for the next race, as well as for the second half of the season. The Czech GP is going to be special for me with my twin brother competing as a wildcard, I’m incredibly happy for him. Furthermore, at Brno we’ll be working to maintain the good dynamic that we had at the last races before the holidays. I know that, if we push hard with the extra motivation of having my brother on the other side of the box, we can achieve a good result.”
53 DENIZ ÖNCÜ
“I’m very happy to be making my World Championship debut at the Czech Grand Prix. I’ve worked very hard to be able to adapt and to compete in a new Championship for me, so I will try to do my best. I hope we can do well, because we’ll be at a circuit that I already know. However, I know that this is a different level, so I will try to learn as much as I can throughout the weekend. Racing again with my twin brother is very exciting, and it will be really nice to share the track with him.”