Raul Fernandez takes sixth at the Andalucia Grand Prix, with teammate Kaito Toba in eleventh place.

The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 duo concluded two weeks of intense work at Jerez with both riders claiming points at the Andalucia Grand Prix race. Raul Fernandez put in a great performance in the contest, battling in the leading group and finishing 6th, whilst Kaito Toba was consistent throughout the 22 laps and came home 11th.

Starting from fourth, Fernandez held his grid place into the first corner, then pushed hard to take the lead on the opening lap – overtaking three rivals in a single pass. The large leading group experienced a constant exchange of positions. In the final part of the contest, his front tyre performance declined, and the Spaniard would lose contact with the pack. Raul placed 6th after a rider ahead of him was handed a post-race penalty.

Toba, who took off from the fourth row of the grid, fulfilled his objective of making a strong start, as he moved up three positions on the first lap. The Japanese was comfortable in the chasing group, at times leading that pursuing pack. The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 rider would take 11th place, for his first points of 2020.

Leaving Jerez, Fernandez is in 7th place in the World Championship standings with 26 points, whilst Toba is 18th with 7 points. The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 team will return to action in two weeks at the Czech GP, in Brno, from August 7-9th.

Results (Moto3 Race)
1. Tatsuki Suzuki (Honda) 39:18.861
2. John McPhee (Honda) +0.064
3. Celestino Vietti (KTM) +0.134
4. Darryn Binder (KTM) +0.628
5. Gabriel Rodrigo (Honda) +0.817
6. Raul Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) +2.742
11. Kaito Toba (Red Bull KTM Ajo) +5.301

Moto3 World Championship Standing 2020
1. Albert Arenas (KTM) 50 points
2. Tatsuki Suzuki (Honda) 44 points
3. John McPhee (Honda) 40 pints
4. Ai Ogura (Honda) 36 points
5. Gabriel Rodrigo (Honda) 30 points
7. Raul Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 26 points
18. Kaio Toba (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 7 points

AKI AJO – TEAM MANAGER

“We have to be happy with the results we obtained in Moto3. With Raul [Fernandez] we are in a learning process on how to manage races in the leading group, and in that aspect he took a step forward today. Raul had a very good pace and I think he just needs experience and to improve with each GP. I am satisfied with him and I am sure that this year we will see him fighting for the podium places. As for Kaito [Toba], from the beginning this weekend was difficult for him, but in the end he was fighting for the Top 10 today.”

25 RAUL FERNANDEZ

“I’m very happy. We’ve had two great weekends and I want to thank the team for that. This last race was especially good, as we remained in the leading group throughout the contest and it helped me to learn a lot. The bike was working perfectly today, so I have to continue working on how I manage the Grand Prix – especially in the final part, since today my front tyre went off. The important thing is that we have finished every round so far in the points, and that will be important for the future.”

27 KAITO TOBA

“We took a step forward today in the race. In general, throughout the weekend we made consistent progress, which is undoubtedly a very positive thing. We have to continue working in the same way at the coming races to be able to fight for the top positions. Little by little we are getting closer to the group at the front, so I am happy and looking forward to the next Grand Prix at Brno.”