Brad Binder and Jorge Martin go into the 16th round of the 2019 World Championship at the Twin Ring Motegi in top form.

After achieving great results at the Thailand Grand Prix, the Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 team are ready for the intense challenge of three consecutive race weekends. The first round of the triple header takes place at the Twin Ring Motegi, with Brad Binder and Jorge Martin seeking to continue with their current good run of form at the Japanese Grand Prix.

The South African arrives in Japan enjoying his best moment of the season, after notching up six podiums in the last eight races, including two victories in Austria and Aragon. This set of strong performances has seen Binder move up to third place in the championship, with 180 points, 44 behind the leader in the standings. In addition, his second position in Thailand saw him draw level with Miguel Oliveira, as the riders with the most podiums in the history of the Red Bull KTM Ajo team, both having recorded 30 rostrum results. Brad also has a good record at Motegi, finishing second in 2014 and third in 2016 in the Moto3 category.

On the other side of the Red Bull KTM Ajo box, Jorge Martin starts the triple header on the back of his best Grand Prix result as a Moto2 rider to date, being sixth at the Thai Grand Prix. He also achieved his best qualifying position so far in the category at Buriram – in third place on the grid. The Spaniard, who scored points in the last seven contests consecutively, now sits 16th in the general standings, with 47 points.

Sunday’s 22-lap Moto2 race will start at 1:20 pm local time. The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 team featured on the podium at the Twin Ring Motegi last season when Miguel Oliveira finished the contest third.

Circuit information – Twin Ring Motegi
Length: 4.801 m / 2.983 miles
Width: 15 m / 49.21 ft.
Left corners: 6
Right corners: 8
Longest straight: 762 m / 0.473 miles
Constructed: 1997
Modified: 1997

41 BRAD BINDER

“Japan is a good Grand Prix for us. Last year it wasn’t easy, but in previous seasons I was competitive there and I feel very strong right now. It’s a circuit where the key point is to maintain a good pace and not make mistakes. We will have to work very hard throughout the weekend.”

88 JORGE MARTIN

“The Twin Ring Motegi is a circuit that I like and at which I have always done well. I hope to maintain the pace we had two weeks ago at the Thai Grand Prix and we will give our best to get a top 5, which is our current goal.”