The Red Bull KTM Ajo rider achieved his best result of the year, finishing 12th in an incident-packed race.

Can Öncü wrapped up his 2019 campaign on Sunday with his best race result of the year at the Valencia Grand Prix, crossing the finish line in 12th position. The Turkish youngster completed his first full season in the World Championship, rounding off a year in which he built up his experience with the Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 team. The 16-year-old kept his focus and finished in the points in a contest that was red flagged and restarted over 15 laps.

Öncü took off from the eighth row, following a reshuffle of the grid after numerous penalties from Saturday. The race, which had already been delayed due to oil spilled on track, was then halted on the third lap due to a further multiple-rider incident. The restarted contest was reduced to 15 laps: Can managed to make up five positions in under a lap as the action got back underway, and he was up in eighth place in the early running. The talented Turkish stayed in the Top 10, battling in a large group. Finally, the Red Bull KTM Ajo rookie finished 12th, signing off for 2019 with his best result of the year.

The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 will now immediately change his focus to the 2020 season, by participating in two days of testing at the Jerez-Angel Nieto Circuit in Andalusia next week.

Results (Moto3 Race)
1. Sergio Garcia (Honda) 25:17.918
2. Andrea Migno (KTM) +0.005
3. Xavier Artigas (Honda) +0.180
4. Tatsuki Suzuki (Honda) +0.246
5. Filip Salac (KTM) +0.328
12. Can Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) +10.223

Moto3 World Championship Standing 2019
1. Lorenzo Dalla Porta (Honda) 279 points
2. Aron Canet (KTM) 200 points
3. Marcos Ramirez (Honda) 183 points
4. Tony Arbolino (Honda) 175 points
5. John McPhee (Honda) 156 points
31. Can Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 8 points

Aki Ajo – Team manager

“Can [Öncü] had a solid weekend, with great work in free practice. It was not an easy season for him, so I’m pleased that he has finished the year in the points. He learned a lot throughout 2019 and is a good young talent.”

61 CAN ÖNCÜ

“It was a good race and I enjoyed it a lot. I started with no pressure, I just wanted to give it 100% and have fun. I want to thank the team for the effort they put in throughout the season. It’s been an unforgettable 2019, I learned a lot and built some great experience. This year I have really developed as a rider with the Red Bull KTM Ajo team.”