The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 duo completed the last day of the Official Test in Qatar, rounding off the preseason with a positive feeling.

Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 wrapped up the 2020 preseason successfully with Jorge Martin second overall at the last Official Test in Qatar. Meanwhile his teammate, Tetsuta Nagashima, improved everyday and placed 18th. Throughout the three days of work at the Losail International Circuit, the Spaniard put in 170 laps and the Japanese rider 152.

The wind was stronger on Sunday than on previous days, a factor that hindered the Red Bull KTM Ajo pair. Nevertheless, Martin completed a solid race simulation, producing consistent times with used tyres. Jorge rode 64 laps today, finishing 11th with a time of 1:59.140. The Spaniard feels ready to fight for big things at the first race of the 2020 Moto2 World Championship.

Nagashima ends the preseason having fulfilled his main objective: adapting to his new bike. His steady progress over the three days left him satisfied, although weather conditions on Sunday did not allow him to perform at his best. The Japanese rider was 22nd for today, with a time of 1:59.842 and 47 laps to his name.

Martin and Nagashima face the first contest of 2020 feeling positive. The opening race of the year, the Qatar Grand Prix, will take place next week at the Losail International Circuit from March 6th to 8th.

Combined Standings – Day 3
1. Jorge Navarro (Speed Up) 1:58:520
2. Remy Gardner (Kalex) 1:58.664 +0.144
3. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Speed Up) 1:58.831 +0.311
4. Marcel Schrotter (Kalex) 1:58.928 +0.408
5. Enea Bastianini (Kalex) 1:58.953 +0.433
11. Jorge Martin (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:59.140 +0.620
22. Tetsuta Nagashima (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:59.842 +1.322

Combined Standings – Days 1-2-3
1. Jorge Navarro (Speed Up) 1:58:520
2. Jorge Martin (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:58.655 +0.135
3. Remy Gardner (Kalex) 1:58.664 +0.144
4. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Speed Up) 1:58.831 +0.311
5. Marcel Schrotter (Kalex) 1:58.928 +0.408
18. Tetsuta Nagashima (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:59.468 +0.948

AKI AJO – TEAM MANAGER:

“It was not a simple preseason for us in Moto2, since we are using a new chassis package for this year. However, I feel that, day after day, we got a better understanding of how it works. I am happy that we came here to Qatar to test, since at Jerez we were competitive; we were able to keep this pace up at the Losail International Circuit, which is a completely different track. There is still work to be done, but I feel that we know the bike better now and that, in addition, we have the necessary tools to finish finding a setup that allows us to arrive ready for the first race.”

88 JORGE MARTIN

“Today was difficult for us, however I think we took a step forward compared to yesterday. As the days went on I felt better, but on Sunday the wind changed compared to Friday and Saturday, bothering me more. We still managed to do a race simulation that allowed us to draw important conclusions and gather information for next weekend. It is crucial that we learned to be consistent and to work with used tyres, since not all the teams have done that. Now it’s time to rest in order to be fully ready for the first race of 2020. If the conditions remain the same as over these past three days, then we can fight to be at the front.”

45 TETSUTA NAGASHIMA

“Today we found things harder than during other days; it was windier and that made riding difficult. However, I can take away the improvement we made on previous days. We performed well over the Qatar Official Test, and now we know on what points we should work to improve for the first race of the year. We are ready to start the 2020 season.”