Jorge Martin and Tetsuta Nagashima continue with good feeling from previous tests on first of three days at Losail International Circuit.

The 2020 preseason is approaching its end, however before its conclusion the Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 have a last Official Test in Qatar this weekend. The first of the three days of action was very fruitful for Jorge Martin and Tetsuta Nagashima, as they were able to confirm the positive findings that their respective crews had gathered in Jerez a week ago. Both riders remained focused on developing the team’s motorcycles for the 2020 season.

Nagashima continued to show his early adaptation to his new machine, and today he set the fifth best time overall with a 1:59.468. Over the course of his 53 laps at the Qatari track on Friday, the Japanese rider worked to feel more comfortable on the bike – doing so significantly at the end of the day.

It was a good start for Martin, despite him still not being fully fit. The Spaniard clocked the sixth fastest time with a personal best of 1:59.547 on Friday. Jorge used his 52 laps to find a set up for the opening race of the season at Losail, and he and his crew worked on establishing a good pace with a full tank.

The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 riders will have two further days of Official Test track time at the Losail International Circuit on Saturday and Sunday.

Combined Standings – Day 1
1. Jorge Navarro (Speed Up) 1:59:168
2. Xavi Vierge (Kalex) 1:59.400 +0.232
3. Enea Bastianini (Kalex) 1:59.421 +0.253
4. Joe Roberts (Kalex) 1:59.450 +0.282
5. Tetsuta Nagashima (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:59.468 +0.300
6. Jorge Martin (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:59.547 +0.379

88 JORGE MARTIN

“I’m very happy with how the day went. I found things a little hard this morning, but later in the afternoon we found what the problem was. From then on, we improved a lot. We were competitive over a single lap but we have also set a good pace with a full tank. This is important, since we are focusing, above all, on preparing for the race. Tomorrow we will try to maintain the same feeling over longer runs.”

45 TETSUTA NAGASHIMA

“I’m happy to be at this final test in Qatar, since it is the last of the preseason. It was a good first day, because we had a strong pace. Today we focused on trying things out to allow me to improve my feeling on the bike. Tomorrow we will continue working hard; we have an extensive testing programme with which we hope to continue taking steps forward.”