The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 rider finished 20th in a physically demanding race in the heat and humidity of Sepang.

The Malaysian Grand Prix once again proved to be one of the toughest races of the year, with high temperatures making it a hard physical test for Can Öncü. The Red Bull KTM Ajo rookie nonetheless rose to the challenge and rode at the same pace as the frontrunners in the contest. The Turkish youngster would finally end the penultimate round of the 2019 Moto3 World Championship in 20th position.

Öncü got away from the sixth row of the grid and, at the first corner, he managed to make up several places and connect with the lead group. For the first third of the race, the young Turk was competitive, producing similar lap times to the contest leaders. After several incidents in the front, the field split apart and the Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 rookie ended up riding alone. Can gained some useful additional experience, learning how to stay focused despite having no other rivals around him, and ultimately finished the Malaysian Grand Prix in 20th place.

The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 team have a week off now before the last Grand Prix of the season at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia, over the 15th – 17th November.

Results (Moto3 Race)
1. Lorenzo Dalla Porta (Honda) 38:01.355
2. Sergio Garcia (Honda) +0.410
3. Jaume Masia (KTM) +0.803
4. Ai Ogura (Honda) +0.885
5. Celestino Vietti (KTM) +0.902
20. Can Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) +29.330

Moto3 World Championship Standing 2019
1. Lorenzo Dalla Porta (Honda) 279 points
2. Aron Canet (KTM) 190 points
3. Tony Arbolino (Honda) 175 points
4. Marcos Ramirez (Honda) 174 points
5. John McPhee (Honda) 156 points
31. Can Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 4 points

Aki Ajo – Team manager

“It was a very hard race for Can [Öncü]. It’s not the result we had expected after a good qualifying performance, but I hope we can finish the 2019 Moto3 World Championship at the Valencia Grand Prix in a positive way.”

61 CAN ÖNCÜ

“This was a Grand Prix with its good points, as Sepang is one of my favourite circuits and I really enjoyed racing here. However, the weekend didn’t go as we had hoped, because we needed to be more consistent and, without a doubt, that is something I have to learn for the future. Also, the contest was really tough for me, as it was so hot today. I hope things will go better in a couple weeks in Valencia.”