Jose Antonio Rueda and Deniz Öncü finish 23rd and 24th, respectively.

The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 riders contested the Argentina Grand Prix race this Sunday, in wet conditions completely different to those they had previously experienced during the weekend. Deniz Öncü suffered a crash when leading the race and would eventually come in 24th, one place ahead of teammate Jose Antonio Rueda.

Öncü started the Moto3 race from the front row of the grid, in second position. The Red Bull KTM Ajo rider remained in the front group and battled for the podium, including navigating the delicate conditions to take the lead on the second lap. He tried to increase the gap, setting the fastest lap at the start of the contest, but a crash on Lap 4 ended his chances of a win when he had established a lead of six tenths of a second. Öncü rejoined the race and placed 24th, gaining experience in the conditions.

Rueda completed his first race at the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit, and had to adapt to a different scenario to the one he has faced throughout the weekend. He started the race from the fifth row on the grid, in thirteenth position, but the Moto3 rookie lost some places at the start and struggled to stay in the group. Not comfortable riding, he nevertheless took the chequered flag after 18 laps, claiming 23rd.

The next round of the season for Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 team will be the Grand Prix of the Americas, from April 14-16th.

Results (Race)
1. Tatsuki Suzuki (Honda) 35:18.099
2. Diogo Moreira (KTM) +4.571
3. Andrea Migno (KTM) +4.699
4. Scott Ogden (Honda) +5.512
5. Daniel Holgado (KTM) +8.814
23. Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) +56.852
24. Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) +1:23.159

Moto3 World Championship Standing 2023
1. Daniel Holgado (KTM) 38 points
2. Diogo Moreira (KTM) 36 points
3. Tatsuki Suzuki (Honda) 27 points
4. David Muñoz (KTM) 20 points
5. Stefano Nepa (KTM) 19 points
9. Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 13 points
16. Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 6 points

Moto3 Teams World Championship Standing 2023
1. MT Helmets – MSI 41 points
2. Red Bull KTM Tech3 38 points
3. Leopard Racing 38 points
4. CIP Green Power 25 points
5. CFMOTO Racing PruestelGP 23 points
7. Red Bull KTM Ajo 19 points

Aki Ajo – Team Manager:
“It was not our best day in Moto3 as we couldn’t get any points. The positive thing is that we saw that in dry conditions we had a really good pace with both riders. Deniz was really fast here and we can fight for the win in every kind of conditions. Rueda also had a good performance in dry conditions. Unfortunately, today in the race Deniz made a mistake when  he was the fastest rider at the beginning . We need to look at Rueda’s performance in wet conditions. In any case we have a positive mindset after the first two races and we feel that we are on the right path.”

#53 DENIZ ÖNCÜ

“First of all, I want to thank the team for all the work they have done throughout the weekend. We are strong and we have shown that since the season began, but we have to work on putting in a good lap in qualifying. Today’s conditions, with the rain, were difficult, although I had a good feeling from the sighting lap onwards. We got a good start and we were able to open up a gap over the rest of the riders, which was our objective. When I was leading I suffered a highside, there is not much more to say about it and it was a pity. I want to apologise to the team for today’s result, and at the next race we will try to get on the podium.”

#99 JOSE ANTONIO RUEDA

“It has not been one of our best days. The track was very wet during the race. I had no feeling with the front tyre and it hindered me a lot during the whole race. I have to improve in these conditions, but these races also help us learn. At the next race in Austin we will continue working and we will look to take a step forward.”