The work done at the Andalusian track allows Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 riders to feel confident as preseason progresses.

The Moto3 Official Test at Jerez concluded on Friday, bringing to an end three days of on-track action for Raul Fernandez and Kaito Toba. The pair accumulated a total of 163 and 179 laps, respectively, making consistent improvements in their lap times. Finally, the Spaniard was 6th on the combined timesheets of the test, with his Japanese teammate 18th.

On Friday, Fernandez contested only two of the three sessions, and completed a total of 38 laps, a 1:45.272 being his personal best. It took him into 6th place on the last day of the test. The Spaniard has been adapting well to his KTM and leaves Jerez very satisfied with the results obtained. Above all, Raul is pleased with his pace over a single fast lap.

Toba also sat out the last session of Friday, finishing 16th while putting in 41 laps with a personal best of 1:45.760, five tenths faster than yesterday. The Japanese rider and his crew focused their work on adjusting the chassis and fine-tuning his riding style. Kaito made steady steps forward at Jerez over the course of the test.

The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 riders will take on a final test of the 2020 preseason next week at the Losail International Circuit, from February 28th to March 1st.

Results – Day 3
1. Ai Ogura (Honda) 1:44:670
2. John McPhee (Honda) 1:44.720 +0.050
3. Gabriel Rodrigo (Honda) 1:44.984 +0.314
4. Tatsuki Suzuki (Honda) 1:45.176 +0.506
5. Sergio Garcia (Honda) 1:45.205 +0.535
6. Raul Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:45.272 +0.602
16. Kaito Toba (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:45.760 +1.090

Results – Days 1-2-3
1. Ai Ogura (Honda) 1:44:670
2. John McPhee (Honda) 1:44.720 +0.050
3. Gabriel Rodrigo (Honda) 1:44.984 +0.314
4. Tatsuki Suzuki (Honda) 1:45.176 +0.506
5. Sergio Garcia (Honda) 1:45.205 +0.535
6. Raul Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:45.272 +0.602
18. Kaito Toba (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:45.760 +1.090

AKI AJO – TEAM MANAGER
“We are very happy with the progress we made during the test. These three days have helped us to get more familiar with the 2020 bike, and it is clear that KTM have done a good job. The riders feel very competitive and confident with it. We are satisfied with how we have also taken a great step forward with our lap times. Both riders, Raul Fernandez and Kaito Toba, did a great job. They have shown that they have a great pace and, in addition, they were fast over a single lap. We have to continue working in the same way at the upcoming Qatar test.”

25 RAUL FERNANDEZ

“In general, it was a very positive test. We were making improvements from the first day to the last. Above all, what I take away from here is that we made progress for our fast lap, since that was something that I found difficult last year. In addition, we also made great strides in terms of our pace, even when using the hard race tyre. If we manage to maintain this rhythm once the races get underway, we can be up at the front. However, we must continue working in the same way, since we still have the Qatar test to go; we will do our best to improve there. I want to thank the team for helping me a lot.”

27 KAITO TOBA

“Today we took another step forward. We dedicated Friday, above all, to working on the chassis and fine-tuning my riding style. Overall I’m very happy with how the test went, although we still have a lot of work to do. It’s very positive that we were able to lower our pace day after day, so I hope that in Qatar we continue with this constant progress. We will try to get an even better feeling there.”