The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 duo wraps up the 2022 pre-season in top form, placing first and second, respectively, on the combined timesheets in Portugal.

The 2022 pre-season came to an end on Monday with the third and final day of the Portimao official test at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve. Red Bull KTM Ajo showed that they are in top form and ready for the start of the campaign, heading the combined timesheets for the visit to Portugal. Pedro Acosta was fastest and leaves the test having made further progress in Moto2. Augusto Fernandez was second, despite discomfort in his left hand due to a recent injury.

Acosta continues to take big steps forward in his adaptation to the class. The Red Bull KTM Ajo talent lowered his best time again on Monday and, thanks to a 1:41.552 lap, topped the timesheets for the Portimao test. Acosta completed 45 laps of the Portuguese track on Day 3, taking his total for the week to 133. The work done gained him valuable experience and knowledge of the intermediate class.

Fernandez closed an excellent pre-season by improving his times for the third consecutive day, stopping the clock at 1:41.706. With this time, the Red Bull KTM Ajo rider was second on both Monday and on the combined timesheets for the three days of testing. Fernandez focused on continuing to understand the bike and obtaining a better feeling onboard it. He put in 43 laps on Monday, and 142 overall.

The next time that the Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 duo will be in action is at the Losail International Circuit, for the Qatar Grand Prix from March 4th-6th.

Results (Combined practice times Day 3)
1. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:41.552
2. Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:41.706 +0.154
3. Aron Canet (Kalex) 1:41.819 +0.267
4. Fermin Aldeguer (Boscoscuro) 1:42.115 +0.563
5. Albert Arenas (Kalex) 1:42.177 +0.625

Results (Portimao Test combined practice times)
1. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:41.552
2. Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:41.706 +0.154
3. Aron Canet (Kalex) 1:41.819 +0.267
4. Jake Dixon (Kalex) 1:42.040 +0.488
5. Fermin Aldeguer (Boscoscuro) 1:42.115 +0.563

AKI AJO – TEAM MANAGER

“At Jerez we took it easy, with the mentality that it was a shakedown test. Here at Portimao we have had good weather and we have completed our full preparation program, so I am happy with the work done by the riders and the team. We are particularly pleased with Pedro [Acosta], as it is his first season in Moto2 and he is adapting very quickly, working as if he had more experience in this class. We are also impressed with the speed and enthusiasm of Augusto [Fernandez] in his first year with us; he has shown good progress at Portimao. Now we just need to stay calm so that everything continues like this when the season starts.”

37 AUGUSTO FERNANDEZ

“It’s been a hard and intense week of work, but I’m very happy with how each and every day of testing has gone, as I have felt better and better with the bike and with the team. Today we have been able to improve again, including with race tyres, lowering our lap times. Now I’m clear about things and I fully understand everything I need to be ready for Qatar, where we will try to give our all and enjoy ourselves.”

51 PEDRO ACOSTA

“We have been able to try out many things during this test, which was the key to being clear about things when we get to Qatar. We wanted to know what works and what we have to work on more. We have taken an important step forward and I’m happy about it. Now I feel more prepared to start the season and, although we still have a lot to learn, we will try to do our best.”