Pedro Acosta finishes eighth in Lusail, with teammate Albert Arenas 21st.

The Qatar Grand Prix concluded this Sunday with a demanding race for the Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 riders. Pedro Acosta recovered positions after a difficult start and finished in eighth place, while Albert Arenas was only able to come home 21st. The positive news was the confirmation of a third Team World Championship in as many years.

Acosta faced the Moto2 race still suffering from some discomfort. The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 rider, who started from the third row of the grid, lost some places off the line, but returned to the Top 10 after the initial laps. After the first few laps, Acosta moved back up to the top 10 in the standings and maintained a steady pace, which allowed him to to take another step forward of consequence on the closing laps. The newly crowned World Champion of the intermediate class tried to reach the Top 5, although he finally crossed the finish line in eighth position.

Arenas also faced a difficult Sunday at the Lusail International Circuit. The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 rider did not enjoy the best feeling onboard his KTM from the start of a race in which tyre management was also an important aspect throughout the 18 laps. Arenas tried until the end in a difficult race and worked hard to recover positions and fight for the points. However, the intermediate category rider could only finish twenty-first.

The new Team Champions will sign off the 2023 season at the Circuit Ricardo Torno next weekend, at the Valencian Grand Prix.

Results (Moto2 race)
1. Fermin Aldeguer (Boscoscuro) 35:32.117
2. Manuel Gonzalez (Kalex) +2.643
3. Aron Canet (Kalex) +2.652
4. Ai Ogura (Kalex) +4.585
5. Jake Dixon (Kalex) +4.645
8. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) +6.598
21. Albert Arenas (Red Bull KTM Ajo) +28.571

Moto2 World Championship Standing 2023
1. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 328,5 points
2. Tony Arbolino (Kalex) 249,5 points
3. Jake Dixon (Kalex) 194 points
4. Fermin Aldeguer (Boscoscuro) 187 points
5. Aron Canet (Kalex) 175 points
15. Albert Arenas (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 79 points

Moto2 Teams World Champioship Standings 2023
1. Red Bull KTM Ajo 407.5 points
2. Elf Marc VDS Racing Team 344.5 points
3. Beta Tools Speedup 321 points
4. Idemitsu Honda Team Asia 295 points
5. Pons Wegow Los40 259 points

Aki Ajo – Team Manager

“In Moto2 we had a quite challenging weekend and, of course, we cannot be really happy about the positions in the race. On the other hand, both riders had a good pace during the weekend and, unfortunately, Pedro had a fever during the weekend, so that affected his performance. Both riders finished the race; Pedro in the Top 10 and Albert, despite the final result, working really well on his speed. We’re really looking forward to finishing the season well with our two riders. We also have to be really happy about our Team championship win, for the fifth time. Thanks, of course, to all of our staff and riders, and all our great long term partners.”

#37 PEDRO ACOSTA

“The race went well. We made a mistake at the start and that affected our race, since the front wheel became very hot. I think the fightback, which happened when the tyre temperature dropped, was good, with competitive times. Now we have to face the last GP of the season. We have motivation and a good feeling on the bike, so we’ll give it 100%.”

#75 ALBERT ARENAS
“The race didn’t go as we expected. It has been a Grand Prix to forget and we have to turn the page. I can take away the fact that I gave 100%, but it was not to be. We will analyse everything to see what happened and improve for the next race. Now we have a few days at home to regroup and get to Valencia in as best shape as possible for the last weekend of the season, giving our all.”