The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 rider will start the race from sixteenth on the grid.

The Thai Grand Prix had an intense day of qualifying at the Chang International Circuit. Deniz Öncü, who went straight into Q2 worked hard under demanding conditions and set the sixteenth fastest time. He will start the race from the fifth row.

Practice 2 allowed the Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 rider to continue making progress and improve his times from Friday. Öncü remained among the pacesetters in a very tight session. His top time arrived on his third lap, with a 1:35.298. He was unable to lower this in the final minutes, in which many riders had their laps cancelled. Öncü secured tenth position and a direct spot in Q2.

In qualifying, the intermediate class rookie worked hard to find a good pace and secure a position high up on the grid. The rising temperatures and wind were an added challenge for him and the rest of the field and, after completing 8 laps, his 1:35.346 from his third lap only allowed him to be 16th. He hopes to be able to make a good start and fight for the front positions in the race.

The 22-lap Moto2 race will take place on Sunday at 1:15 pm local time at the Chang International Circuit.

Results Qualifying
1. Ai Ogura (Boscoscuro) 1:34.728
2. Aron Canet (Kalex) 1:34.779 +0.051
3. Diogo Moreira (Kalex) 1:34.802 +0.074
4. Tony Arbolino (Kalex) 1:34.866 +0.138
5. Marcos Ramirez (Kalex) 1:34.871 +0.143
16. Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:35.346 +0.618

#53 DENIZ ÖNCÜ

“Qualifying is finished here in Thailand. I’m not really happy with the position on the grid, but I will try to have a good race tomorrow and improve our pace. We will analyse all the data today, so that hopefully tomorrow we can gain some positions and get a good result. We want to finish these last races of the year with a positive mindset.”