The Red Bull KTM Ajo duo will contest the fifth round of the 2021 Moto3 World Championship this weekend.

Two weeks on from a thrilling Spanish Grand Prix, and having rested and recovered, the Red Bull KTM Ajo riders are hungry for more at the fifth Moto3 World Championship round of the season: the French GP. Both Pedro Acosta and Jaume Masia – first and fifth in the overall standings – are among the favourites for a race podium thanks to their recent good results. Their strong campaign to date has put the structure in a comfortable lead in the team standings.

Now the youngest rider to win three consecutive contests, and the first to place on the podium in his first four World Championship events, Acosta will try to keep the momentum going. Despite never having ridden at Le Mans, he will look to achieve a great result to maintain the lead he holds in the overall standings, currently with 95 points to his name.

Masia has unfinished business to attend to after the misfortune he experienced at the Spanish Grand Prix, where he crashed on the last lap when he was fighting for the victory. The Spaniard remounted to finish the race in 21st. This weekend he will try to regain confidence at a circuit where he placed fourth last year, just 0.336 tenths behind the winner. Masia is fifth in the standings at present, with 39 points.

The 22-lap Moto3 French Grand Prix gets underway at 11 AM local time on Sunday. Red Bull KTM Ajo have won twice at Le Mans, with Jack Miller in 2014 and Brad Binder in 2016. In addition, Luis Salom took third place in 2013.

Circuit information – Le Mans Circuit

Length: 4.185 m / 2.600 miles
Width: 13 m / 42.65 ft.
Left corners: 5
Right corners: 9
Longest straight: 674 m / 0.418 miles
Constructed: 1965

5 JAUME MASIA

“The target for the French Grand Prix is the same as always: To work well, on the right path, and find a good setup in order to be able to fight for a positive result. We will try to make as few mistakes as possible and do our best on Sunday. Obviously, I will try to fight for the podium and pick up as many points as we can. We will give our 100% to be prepared for the race.”

37 PEDRO ACOSTA

“This weekend we will work to improve our performance in Free Practice and, consequently, in qualifying. I have never been to Le Mans before, so we will have to adapt quickly. However, I like the way the layout looks, and my first impression is good. The aims for this Grand Prix are once again the same as we set for ourselves at previous rounds: To learn, have fun and enjoy each runout on track.”