Vietti and Öncü start 2024 preseason with two intense days of testing
29/11/2023The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 riders have their first contact with their new team.
After an exciting end to the 2023 season, the Red Bull KTM Ajo team have already begun preparing for 2024 with two days of testing at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia. Celestino Vietti debuted with the team, while Deniz Öncü completed his first laps with a Moto2 bike.
Vietti is a new addition to the Red Bull KTM Ajo team, and the 22-year-old Italian rider has already met his future crew after the close of his third season in the intermediate class. On Monday he had his first runout with the team in the test, which featured the use of the new Pirelli tires for next season. Vietti seemed very comfortable and satisfied with the results, including on Wednesday, where a private test was carried out. On both days the Italian rider worked hard to make the most of the last days of work this year.
Öncü, who completed his best year in the Moto3 class in 2023, finally made his official debut in Moto2. He still had some physical discomfort from the weekend, although it was not an impediment to starting to get to know the class. He ended the two days with a positive feeling, already able to make some progress and understand the particularities of Moto2 for next season. In addition, he was also as comfortable as possible on a motorcycle that is completely new to him.
Both riders sign off 2023 well, and with clear ideas to start 2024 with the utmost motivation.
Aki Ajo – Team Manager
“It is good to start a new preseason just after we finished the 2023 campaign last weekend. We had two very productive days with both new riders, welcoming Vietti to the team and with Deniz moving up to Moto2. These two days were very busy and we had many new things to adapt to, like the new Pirelli tires and the new WP suspension. Both the team and the riders are satisfied with the results of the test. They have helped us to prepare well for the work, looking forward to 2024.”#13 CELESTINO VIETTI
“I’m very happy with the work we have done this week, and also with my crew. We have improved things, going step-by-step, to face the new season. Now it’s time to relax and be fresh for next year.”#53 DENIZ ÖNCÜ
“It was really nice riding the Moto2. I really enjoyed these last two days. I’m starting to understand how the bike works and I have to adapt my style to that. For sure, the information we have been collecting during these days is interesting for me because, during the winter, I can study it and find out what I have to improve for next season.”