Jose Antonio Rueda finishes the day eleventh, with Deniz Öncü thirteenth.

Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 duo started the official test at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve with three practice sessions on Friday. After a day of changeable track conditions, Jose Antonio Rueda was eleventh overall, with his teammate Deniz Öncü in thirteenth place.

Öncü continues to work to be ready for the start of the season after his injury during the winter break, and is now fully fit for the task. The Moto3 riders started the day with mixed conditions, which did not allow them to get the most out of the morning. Öncü set the fourth best time in FP1 and focused on improving his times and getting a good feeling with the KTM the rest of the day. After completing an intense day, he placed 13th, lowering his times to 1:49.239 and completing a total of 53 laps.

Rueda continues to adapt to the team and the bike, although from the start of Friday he showed great potential. The first session saw him complete 8 laps due to the delicate track conditions, but in the second session the rookie topped the standings and finished fourth. In the afternoon runout, the Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 rider improved his times and finished eleventh, with 1:49.164.

Öncü and Rueda will return to action on Saturday, for the second day of the Official Test in Portimao.

Results (Combined practice times Day 1)
1. Jaume Masia (Honda) 1:48.416
2. Romano Fenati (Honda) 1:48.454 +0.038
3. Tatsuki Suzuki (Honda) 1:48.658 +0.242
4. Ricardo Rossi (Honda) 1:48.776 +0.360
5. Daniel Holgado (KTM) 1:48.808 +0.392
11. Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:49.164 +0.748
13. Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:49.239 +0.823

#53 DENIZ ÖNCÜ

“It’s Day 1 here in Portimao and we have worked very hard on the setup because I didn’t have the best feeling. I had a small crash, and I feel a little bit of pain, but I’m OK and I was able to improve my times in the afternoon. The track conditions were a bit difficult, but we are ready for tomorrow and we will work to improve together.”

#99 JOSE ANTONIO RUEDA

“The first day went well and we felt better with the bike each time we went out. In the last stint we took a big step forward with the bike, improving our times and finishing in the Top 10. I am very happy with the work by the team, and with how the preseason is going. Tomorrow we will go out to give our all and try to do our best.”