Öncü and Rueda return to Europe for Spanish Grand Prix
26/04/2023The fourth round of this season starts this weekend at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto.
The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 duo are already in Jerez for the fourth round of the 2023 season. Deniz Öncü arrives at a circuit where he has put in outstanding performances and has been close to getting on the podium in the past, whilst the Spanish Grand Prix is a notable event on the calendar for Jose Antonio Rueda, who will contest his home race.
Öncü continues to work hard to achieve good results. After the sixth position he achieved at the Grand Prix of the Americas, the Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 rider is now in search of a first podium of the season and with clear ideas. In 2022 he was fourth at the Spanish Grand Prix after an outstanding race in which he climbed up the order from the fourth row of the grid. Öncü has 16 points and occupies thirteenth in the overall standings.
Rueda finished his first race at the demanding Austin circuit in the Top 10. The rookie will face one of the circuits he knows best this weekend, having achieved great results at Jerez in the past: in 2022 he was on the podium in every race he contested there in the Red Bull Rookies Cup and Junior GP, winning twice. Rueda has his mind set on enjoying a strong home Grand Prix and taking another step forward in his progress. With 19 points he is eighth in the overall standings and remains the top Rookie in Moto3.
Previously the Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 team took the podium at Jerez last season with Jaume Masia finishing third, while in 2021 Pedro Acosta took victory at the Spanish Grand Prix. Aki Ajo’s team is sixth in the overall team standings with 35 points. The 19-laps Moto3 race at the Spanish Grand Prix will take place this Sunday, April 30, and will start at 12:00 PM local time.
Circuit information – Jerez-Angel Nieto Circuit
Length: 4.423 m / 2.748 miles
Width: 11 metres / 36.09 ft.
Left corners: 5
Right corners: 8
Longest straight: 607 m / 0.377 miles
Constructed: 1986
#53 DENIZ ÖNCÜ
“After 2 overseas races we return to Europe to continue the season. Last year I was close to getting onto the podium at Jerez and I think we can be very competitive here. The test in March will be a help for the Grand Prix, having ridden here before the race is always positive when it comes to finding a good setup. I think we can be strong at Jerez and we will give it our best from the first session. The team are working very well and we deserve a good result.”
#99 JOSE ANTONIO RUEDA
“Racing in Jerez is something very special for me. It is a circuit that I have known for a long time and I am very excited about it. I can’t wait to start the weekend and I think it will be a good Grand Prix. The objective is to give 100%, as always, and try to be as high up the order as possible to finish in the best way.”