Pedro Acosta and Augusto Fernandez complete two positive days of private testing in Spain, opening their 2022 pre-season.

Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 started their 2022 pre-season and a week of intense work with two days of private testing at Jerez. Pedro Acosta, who this year makes his debut in the intermediate class, made early progress and was among the fastest riders at the Southern Spanish track. Teammate Augusto Fernandez showed a rapid adaptation to the team’s bike, despite the discomfort caused by a recent injury to his left hand.

The private test in Jerez consisted of two days on an open track from 10 AM to 6 PM, and the riders enjoyed optimal weather conditions. Acosta has made a positive adaptation to the intermediate class from the get-go and was taking part in what was only his second test aboard the Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 bike. Throughout the two days, he was one of the most prolific in terms of laps, putting in 149 to gain experience. Whilst fast times were not his objective, he managed to set a pace in the 1:41s and he finished the test 2nd overall.

On Wednesday, Fernandez concentrated on testing his feeling on a Moto2 bike, after having undergone surgery to treat a fracture to his left thumb. Despite the discomfort, the Spanish rider was able to work well with his team. Fernandez completed a total of 120 laps, setting times in the 1:42s. The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 rider finished 6th in the combined timesheets of the two-day practice.

The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 riders now move on to Portugal, where the official test at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve will take place this weekend, from February 19th to 21st.

AKI AJO – TEAM MANAGER 

“Riding again in this test after a long winter break has been positive. It’s been a good start, we’re still waiting to see how everything will go, but despite the injuries, such as Augusto [Fernandez]’s case, we completed a good job. Pedro [Acosta] is very focused and that will help him gain confidence for this season. Both riders have completed many laps and have accumulated important kilometres, so this will be positive before arriving at the official test in Portimao.”

#37 AUGUSTO FERNANDEZ

“I am happy because I could do more than I expected before arriving here. Nevertheless, with more hours passing, I felt uncomfortable in my finger. Anyway, I’m satisfied because we did a good job, although I would have liked to try out a few more things. We were calm in this first test because I wasn’t 100% physically and we made important steps. I hope I can be better in Portimao and keep working to arrive in the best condition at Qatar.”

#51 PEDRO ACOSTA

“It’s been a good day and, in general, a great test. We made lots of laps because it was important to understand in what I was improving or not. The change to the Moto2 bike has been very positive, I had lots of fun and I can feel the change in the tyre, bike size and, more importantly, the speed. This year we are not setting any objective, so in Portimao we will continue with our philosophy of having fun each time we go out on track.”