Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 complete productive test at Jerez
10/03/2023Deniz Öncü and Jose Antonio Rueda enjoy two days of testing at the Spanish circuit.
Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 team started the 2023 preseason with a private test at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto this week. After two intense days, Deniz Öncü concluded with a good feeling, occupying third position overall. Jose Antonio Rueda continued to adapt quickly to the KTM, setting the twelfth best time.
The test, which consisted of two open track days between 10 AM and 6 PM, was affected by the weather conditions. Rain hindered the work on the first day, although the Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 riders worked hard to adapt to their new team and get the most out of their track time. Öncü completed a total of 18 laps and set the best time of the first day. Rueda finished Thursday in fourteenth position after having put in 12 laps.
Early morning fog delayed the start of the action on Friday, although the subsequent conditions provided a perfect day of testing in Jerez. Öncü focused on finding a good feeling and was the rider who completed the most laps (89), placing third, just +0.2s off the best time. Rueda also improved his times, reaching eighth position in the morning. The current Red Bull Rookies Cup and Junior GP champion was twelfth, very close to the Top 10 and +0.6s behind the fastest time, with a total of 75 laps.
The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 duo will return to work at the official test at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve, which will take place on March 17, 18 and 19th.
Aki Ajo – Team Manager
“Although the first day of the test didn’t allow us to do a lot of laps due to the conditions, the second day of the test was very productive for us. The test we did here in November was definitely a big help, but the winter break has been long, and it was important to get a lot of laps in. It is necessary for the team to work and spend time on the track and in the paddock to find a good learning atmosphere and to understand the way to ride and get to know the staff. Öncü and Rueda did a good job, without many mistakes. They had a good performance and we were focused on the feeling and the basic setup more than the lap times. In general, everything went well and the lap time was also good.”
#53 DENIZ ÖNCÜ
“On the first day we couldn’t do many laps due to the weather conditions, but today was really good weather and we were on track all day. We did 89 laps in total and it was nice to see how we started and where we ended up. My feeling with the bike was really good and we took a huge step forward. This first test of the season has been very positive. We are fast and we have a good bike. I’m looking forward to starting the next test in Portimao.”
#99 JOSE ANTONIO RUEDA
“The test went very well, although on Thursday we couldn’t ride much because of the rain. We started Friday with some problems and we got a little stuck, but we were able to solve that quickly. At the end of the day I felt comfortable with the bike and we were fast. We know the things we need to improve on and we will work on that in Portimao. I am really looking forward to the next test and we will continue to work hard.”