The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 duo finish fifth and sisteenth recpectively in Buriram.

The Thailand Grand Prix saw an intense Moto3 race, with a fight for the win decided only on the closing laps. Deniz Öncü, who started from pole, finished in fifth position, whilst his teammate Jose Antonio Rueda was sixteenth.

Öncü was in pole position for the third time this season. The Turkish rider made a good start, although on the opening corners he lost some positions, albeit remaining in the front group at all times and recovering to take third position on Lap 2. Öncü continued in the fight and snatched the lead with 9 laps remaining. The Red Bull KTM Ajo rider tried to increase the gap and stretch the group, although unfortunately he dropped down to fifth position. In the latter stages he remained in the Top 5, looking for the right moment to try to regain places, and he eventually crossed the finish line in fifth position. He now has 191 points in the overall standings, which keeps him fifth.

Rueda had a good feeling throughout the weekend. The Moto3 rookie, who started from the third row of the grid, focused on staying in the group from the get-go. However, he also pushed to enter the Top 10. The high temperatures affected his riding and tyre management, and he readjusted to try to hold onto a spot in the points, but he took the chequered flag in sixteenth. He is eighth in the Moto3 standings with 111 points.

The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 duo will face the next event after a week off. The Malaysian Grand Prix will take place from November 10th-12th.

Results (Moto 3 race)
1. David Alonso (GasGas) 32:45.307
2. Taiyo Furusato (KTM) +0.266
3. Collin Veiger (Husqvarna) +0.359
4. Jaume Masia (GasGas) +0.382
5. Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM) +0.557
16. Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) +6.813

Moto3 World Championship Standing 2023
1. Jaume Masia (Honda) 230 points
2. Ayumu Sasaki (Husqvarna) 213 points
4. David Alonso (GasGas) 205 points
3. Daniel Holgado (KTM) 205 points
5. Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM) 191 points
8. Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 111 points

Moto3 Teams World Championship Standings 2023
1. Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intanct GP 318 points
2. Red Bull KTM Ajo 302 points
3. Leopard Racing 292 points
4. Angeluss MTA Team 276 points
5. Gaviota GasGas Aspar Team 257 points

Aki Ajo – Team Manager
“Today’s race was again in really hot conditions and it was really challenging for all the riders. We saw one another exciting race in Moto3. With the long straights, it wasn’t the easiest day for Deniz due to his size but he fought very well and even led the race. Unfortunately he made a small, small mistake on the final laps that took him out in the fight for the win. In any case, he finished in the Top 5 so we should be happy. Jose Antonio’s race was really challenging as his first lap was not so good and it was difficult to get much higher up, but of course, it was one more race to collect much more experience in his rookie season.”

#53 DENIZ ÖNCÜ

“We’ve finished the GP in Thailand and, honestly, we were really strong during the whole weekend. In the race there were some factors that also played a part in this class, like weight and height, especially at this circuit. I did my best to fight for the victory and I was also leading the way for some laps, but I lacked something on the straights. It’s really hard sometimes but we are confident and we are focused on winning the next GP.”

#99 JOSE ANTONIO RUEDA

“The race was a little more difficult than I expected. Many riders passed me on the straight and we continued to have the same problem we had suffered throughout the weekend. As the laps went on it was more difficult to overtake due to the tyre wear and high temperatures. We were close to breaking into the points, but we will continue to work hard to arrive for Malaysia ready. I know it is a tricky circuit but I really want to continue improving in this second part of the season.”