Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 complete satisfactory preseason at Portimao
19/03/2023Rueda finishes the third day second, while Öncü was fifteenth.
The Moto3 Official Test at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve concluded on Sunday, with a third day of action on track. Jose Antonio Rueda continued making progress and was one of the fastest riders, eventually placing 2nd. Held in perfect conditions, the day allowed Deniz Oncü to work hard to find a good feeling with his bike, finishing in 15th position overall.
Öncü will go into the 2023 campaign with a better feeling than in previous seasons. The Turkish rider improved his times in the first session and continued working with the team to find the best setup for his KTM. In the second session, high temperatures did not allow him to lower his times, although in the last runout of the day Öncü took an important step forward and occupied the top positions. With 66 laps completed and a time of 1:48.203, Öncü had a solid end to preseason.
Rueda continues to take strides forward ahead of his first year in the Moto3 World Championship. The rookie was one of the most consistent riders over the weekend and quickly adapted to the team’s work plan. Rueda went faster on Sunday than on previous days, and remained in the Top 3 throughout. Thanks to his 1:47.262 time he finished in second position, after completing 68 laps on Sunday. Rueda ends preseason raring to go when the campaign gets underway.
The Moto3 World Championship will begin this coming week with the Portuguese Grand Prix, held at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve from March 23rd to 26th.
Results (Combined practice times Day 3)
1. Riccardo Rossi (Honda) 1:47.211
2. Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo)1:47.262 +0.051
3. David Muñoz (KTM) 1:47.318 +0.107
4. Ayumu Sasaki (Husqvarna) 1:47.402 +0.191
5. Romano Fenati (Honda) 1:47.403 +0.192
15. Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:47.943 +0.732
Aki Ajo – Team Manager
“Finally our preseason was good, despite the weather not being stable during these days in Portimao. We are happy and we tested a lot test both here and at Jerez. I am satisfied with the result, as the team and the riders have worked very hard. Here in Portimao we made progress every day, especially the last day, when it was not so windy. We have to say that we finished the preseason really well. Both Deniz and José Antonio are new to the team and I think these five days -plus the days we had in November- went really well. We feel ready for the beginning of the season.”
#53 DENIZ ÖNCÜ
“These three days of test have finished. Today we made a good improvement in our feeling on the bike, for me to find a good combination to help me to ride fast. I’m surprised about the situation I am in now because I didn’t expect to be struggling so much. I know that we can be faster and we will find a solution. The team are working well and we are giving our best each day, although I’m not in the position that I wanted to be. Next week is the first Grand Prix and I’m just trying to work as hard as possible to be ready for it “.
#99 JOSE ANTONIO RUEDA
“I think this last day of testing went well and the result has been quite positive. Today was quite positive in general. We have managed to find a good setup for the bike and I feel comfortable. The weather today was much better and that helped me to be fast. I rode alone and I set a good time. We are fast and I am happy with the final results of the test. I can’t wait for the season to start and I think we can fight for a good result at Round 1”.