Jorge Martin ends season with closely fought Portuguese GP

22/11/2020

The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 rider concludes 2020 with a 6th position at the last round of the year. Tetsuta Nagashima finishes in 14th place.

 

The 2020 campaign came to an end this Sunday with the Portuguese Grand Prix, bringing down the curtain on a fourth season for Red Bull KTM Ajo in Moto2. Jorge Martin was sixth in what was his last race in the intermediate class, after two years in which he claimed two victories, six podiums and one pole position with the team. Tetsuta Nagashima had a good start to the race and finished the final contest in 14th position.

Martin made a great start from the second row of the grid, slotting into third on the first corner. The Spaniard was involved in an early fight with other riders in the chasing group, contesting second place. The pack broke up midway through the race, and the Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 talent remained in the battle for the Top 4. With 10 laps to go, a scare that saw him nearly crash meant that he lost ground, but he would then regroup with his fastest lap of the contest. Martin eventually concluded the round in sixth, ending a year in which he took two victories and further four podiums.

Nagashima started from the fourth row of the grid, in 10th position, and pushed hard from the beginning to climb up to seventh place. The Japanese joined up with the chasing group but was left behind by them past the middle phase of the race. The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 rider would take the chequered flag 14th.

Following the last Grand Prix, Jorge Martin ends his time in the Moto2 class 5th in the World Championship with 160 points. Tetsuta Nagashima concludes the year 8th with 91.

Results – Race

1. Remy Gardner (Kalex) 39:35.476
2. Luca Marini (Kalex) +1.609
3. Sam Lowes (Kalex) +3.813
4. Marco Bezzecchi (Kalex) +8.437
5. Enea Bastianini (Kalex) +8.646
6. Jorge Martin (Red Bull KTM Ajo) +8.899
14. Tetsuta Nagashima (Red Bull KTM Ajo) +18.550

Moto2 World Championship Standing 2020

1. Enea Bastianini (Kalex) 205 points
2. Luca Marini (Kalex) 196 points
3. Sam Lowes (Kalex) 196 points
4. Marco Bezzecchi (Kalex) 184 points
5. Jorge Martin (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 160 points
8. Tetsuta Nagashima (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 91 points

 

Aki Ajo – Team manager
“We have to be happy with how we have ended the season in Moto2. It was a good race with both riders in the points, and with Jorge [Martin] in the Top 6. He had the pace to be higher up the order, but today it was hard for him to overtake, which made his Sunday more tough. Our 2020 has seen many ups and downs. The start of the campaign was very good for Tetsuta Nagashima, but in the final part we couldn’t find that same feeling. As for Jorge, unfortunately we had that enforced break due to his health situation. In any case, we achieved great results and it was a good time for our sponsors especially Red Bull, KTM and all our staff.”

88 JORGE MARTIN

“I’m happy with the race we had. It was a shame that it was tough for me to overtake today, but I’m satisfied to complete a great weekend. I want to thank the team for these two years together, because I have always felt very well supported. Thanks to them, I have grown as a rider and as a person. I hope they do well in the future!”

45 TETSUTA NAGASHIMA

“I’m not satisfied with the race, because after a highside I felt pain in my shoulders, and I wasn’t able to push very hard again. However, that’s racing, and these things can happen. I want to thank the team for this season together. I was hoping for a slightly better result to end the year, but it was a bit tough. The important thing is that we never gave up and gave our 100%.”

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