Jose Antonio Rueda and Xabi Zurutuza complete two productive days of testing in Portimao.

Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 duo got back to work with their preparations for 2024 with a two-day test in Portimao. Jose Antonio Rueda and Xabi Zurutuza were both in action at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve, and although changeable weather conditions affected the workload, both left satisfied.

Rueda started the first day with a very good feeling and set the pace in the first session. The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 rider, who will be in his second season with the team in 2024, worked with determination despite the fact that rain made an appearance throughout the weekend. The Moto3 rider had a great first day, fighting for the top positions from start to finish. On the second day, Rueda remained among the Top 10 and focused on finding a good feeling with the new bike and tyres. He completed 96 laps and achieved a best time of 1:47.692.

Zurutuza continues with his adaptation to both the team and the class. He made progress on the first day, improving his feeling and his times. Undeterred by the intermittent rain, present throughout the day, he managed to place fourth in the last session on Thursday. On the second day, the Spaniard continued working intensely and focused on getting familiar with the bike, feeling better and finishing all the sessions in the Top 10. Zurutuza put in a total of 95 laps, setting a top time of 1:49.008.

Vicente Perez also participated in testing on Friday afternoon. The Spaniard will be the substitute rider for Zurutuza in the Qatar and Portugal Grands Prix, as he will not yet have reached the minimum age to compete. The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 team will return to work next week with the Official Test, which will be held at the Circuito de Jerez Angel Nieto from February 28th to March 1st.

Aki Ajo – Team Manager:
“Of course it has been a very important two days of testing here in Portimao, after a long winter break. It’s important to have the whole team together again and test in different conditions and on different tracks. We haven’t been together since the Valencia test in November, so it’s been a busy few days testing the new bike. We haven’t had the best conditions but, as I mentioned, we have been able to work in different situations. Next week at Jerez we will continue working to prepare for the season”.

#99 JOSE ANTONIO RUEDA
“The first day I had a very good feeling, trying out new things and seeing where we can improve. The rain didn’t let us ride as much as we wanted, but we didn’t want to take a risk, because the wind was also very strong. I really like this year’s bike and I am very comfortable riding it. The second day didn’t go as we wanted in terms of our time attack, but I made progress towards the end of the day. It has been a slightly irregular day due to the rain, but we tried to make the most of these two days in Portimao.”

#85 XABI ZURUTUZA
“I leave Portimao very happy after these two days of testing. On the first day we worked on adapting and making progress, and I was even able to ride in the wet to test the bike and the new tyres in those conditions. On the second day we also continued to move forward and we managed to find a setting with which I am comfortable. I have a very good feeling with the team, so I’m looking forward to the next test at Jerez.”