Deniz Öncü is fastest rider in qualifying and Rueda finishes in tenth position.

The qualifying sessions for the Spanish GP ended on a high note for the Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 riders. Deniz Öncü took his first pole position of the season after leading throughout the weekend. Jose Antonio Rueda was tenth in Jerez and will start from the fourth row of the grid.

The Red Bull KTM Ajo duo completed Practice 3 in the morning, and both went straight into Q2. Optimal track conditions saw both riders improve their times and move into the top positions after the first few laps. Öncü held the top spot throughout with a 1:55.401 on his ninth lap of 13. Rueda was very comfortable and worked on finding a good pace for the race. After completing 11 laps, the Moto3 rookie finished in an outstanding third position thanks to his 1:45.842 lap on his eleventh attempt.

Öncü rode on his own to set a good time, and after a pit stop the Turkish Red Bull KTM Ajo rider set the fastest time of the qualifying. The Moto3 rider is having a consistent weekend in Jerez. Öncü maintained a consistent pace and high rhythm to take his first pole position of the season after a strong performance with a time of 1:45.668. Rueda started Q2 with a very good feeling and rode alone to find the best pace for a good time attack. The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 rider attacked after a pit stop in search of a good time for the starting grid. After seven laps, Rueda clocked the tenth fastest time, a 1:46.369, and will take off from the fourth row of the grid.

The 19-laps Moto3 race at Spanish Grand Prix will start at 12 PM local time on Sunday.

Results (Qualifying session)
1. Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:45.668
2. Ivan Ortola (KTM) 1:45.783 +0.115
3. David Muñoz (KTM) 1:45.965 +0.297
4. Romano Fenati (Honda) 1:45.984 +0.316
5. Jaume Masia (Honda) 1:46.048 +0.380
10. Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:46.369 +0.701

#53 DENIZ ÖNCÜ

“I’m very happy about this pole position. Honestly, I didn’t change a lot of things to find this pace. I was just trying to keep my motivation high and remain stable; being relaxed on every lap and trying to be consistent. Tomorrow I want to treat the race just like a practice. I will do my own race and I will push until the chequered flag, enjoying every lap. The team are working very well and we are really happy about the result. I think we can get the victory and I’ll fight for that”.

#99 JOSE ANTONIO RUEDA

“I was looking pretty good all day. In qualifying we started with a short run to put everything in order and then we went out to do the last three laps. The plan was to go out with Deniz to both be as high up as possible, but in the end we went out alone. Even so, a Top10 is a good result in Jerez in these conditions. I am ready for the race, I feel that I have a good pace and I feel very good on the bike as well. I hope we can do very well and we will fight to finish my home Grand Prix in the best possible way”.