Deniz Öncü sets third fastest time of the day, with Jose Antonio Rueda ninth.

The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 riders had a productive Friday at the Red Bull Ring. Deniz Öncü improved his feeling in the afternoon session and managed to finish the first day as the third quickest rider, whilst Jose Antonio Rueda continued to consolidate his progression and was in ninth place.

Practice 1 took place with optimal conditions in Austria. Öncü worked to find a good feeling, although he was never 100% comfortable with his bike. The Red Bull KTM Ajo rider lowered his times lap by lap, and after completing 16 laps he placed fourteenth, setting his best time on the penultimate attempt with a 1:43.000. Rueda was more at ease at a circuit that he knows well. The Red Bull KTM Ajo rookie remained amongst the pacesetters, including leading the way at some points. He kept up a good pace and in an outstanding Practice achieved the fourth best time, thanks to his 1:42.257 on his last lap.

The afternoon session began with an increase in temperatures. The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 duo took to the track ready to better their times and secure their place in Q2. Öncü felt much more comfortable and completed a positive session. The Turkish rider climbed positions from the start and pushed to the fullest, completing a great last lap that put him in third position, with a time of 1:41.879. Rueda continued focused on maintaining the same positive showing from the morning, but was not as comfortable and would not lower his pace. He was fifteenth, with a time of 1:42.701 achieved on his 12th lap of 15, which earned him ninth on the combined timesheets.

Moto3 qualifying will take place on Saturday at 12:50 PM local time.

Results (Combined practice times P1 – P2)
1. David Alonso (GasGas) 1:41.223
2. Colin Veijer (Husqvarna) 1:41:852 +0.629
3. Deniz Oncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:41.879 +0.656
4. Daniel Holgado (KTM) 1:41.899 +0.676
5. Matteo Bertelle (Honda) 1:41.922 +0.699
9. Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:42.257 +1.034

#53 DENIZ ÖNCÜ

“It’s really good to see that we are really strong at all the circuits, and being fast is important when it comes to fighting for the title. I was a bit upset with how Practice 1 went because I finished 14th. We tried to figure out how to feel better in Practice 2 and we seem to have managed to work it out. I pushed hard and I could have put in another lap, but we are confident that we can have a good qualifying session tomorrow.”

#99 JOSE ANTONIO RUEDA

“We started the first session quite well, feeling very comfortable. We set a good time and we were fourth. In Practice 2 we tried something different, but it didn’t quite work out as expected. The good thing is that we already know the way to continue tomorrow and that we went into Q2 in the Top 10. I am really looking forward to tomorrow because it is a circuit that I know well, and where I am very comfortable.”