The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 duo face the 17th round of the year.

The Moto3 World Championship lands in Japan to close a run of three consecutive race weekends. After a bittersweet Indonesian GP for Jose Antonio Rueda and Xabi Zurutuza, the Red Bull KTM Ajo duo will start afresh at Motegi.

Jose Antonio Rueda had a tough weekend in Indonesia, where the track conditions added an extra level of difficulty when it came to finding a good feeling from the start of the Grand Prix. The Red Bull KTM Ajo rider maintained a good pace in the race, although it was not enough to reach the top positions on the grid due to a long lap penalty he had to serve. The Spanish rider finished tenth last year in his first race at Motegi. Rueda is eighth in the overall standings and has 110 points.

Xabi Zurutuza completed his first Indonesian Grand Prix. The Moto3 rookie was forced to fight back up the order after starting from the back of the grid, which was compounded by a double long lap penalty that made it difficult for him to reach the points. He comes to Japan ready to turn things around and with renewed energy to face the final stretch of the season. With 11 points, Zurutuza is 22nd in the overall standings.

Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 are seventh in the team standings with 124 points. The 17-lap Japanese GP will be held on Sunday at 11:00 am, local time.

Circuit information – Mobility Resort Motegi
Length: 4.801 m / 2.983 miles
Width: 15 m / 49.21 ft.
Left corners: 6
Right corners: 8
Longest straight: 762 m / 0.473 miles
Constructed: 1997
Modified: 1997

#99 JOSE ANTONIO RUEDA
“The Japanese Grand Prix is a circuit that was a bit difficult for us last year, but I think we can do well this season. I am happy with the feeling we have at this circuit. Hopefully we can have that from the first day and can improve little by little.”

#85 XABI ZURUTUZA
“I am looking forward to the Japanese Grand Prix because I think it is a circuit that could suit me well. Even so, we have to improve the bike setup and also see where I myself can improve, to turn things around and get a good result.”