The Red Bull KTM Ajo riders lower the circuit record on the last day of testing.

The final day of testing at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto was a positive end to the three day visit for Red Bull KTM Ajo. Jose Antonio Rueda and Alvaro Carpe both went round faster than the previous circuit record at the track, with the former topping the combined timesheets for the test. His teammate was fifth, also besting the previous fastest lap along the way.

Rueda started the day by setting the best time of the entire week in FP7, with his 1:43.357 that dropped several tenths off the circuit record. He also completed the most laps in the session, with a total of 30, achieving his best time on his final attempt. At midday, in FP8, he again set the best time, although slightly slower than his morning marker. With 56 laps in total to his name, and great results both from his Time Attack and race pace, Rueda decided to sit out the last session of the day and save his energy for next week’s season opener.

Carpe was again a surprise package, getting even closer to the times put down by the pacesetters. The young rookie joined his teammate in besting the track record in the morning, with a 1:43.770, to complete the Top 5 on Thursday.He completed total of 56 laps spread over the three sessions of the day: At midday he managed to be second behind Rueda and, in the afternoon, with few riders on track, he was the fastest in FP9, to complete an encouraging preseason. The reigning JuniorGP champion was the best rookie of the test.

The Red Bull KTM Ajo duo start a new Moto3 season next week. The opening round will be at the Chang International Circuit, Thailand, from February 28th to March 2nd.

Combined Results (Day 3)
1. Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:43.357
2. Joel Kelso (KTM) 1:43.592 +0.235
3. Adrian Fernandez (Honda) 1:43.682 +0.325
4. Ryusei Yamanaka (KTM) 1:43.723 +0.366
5. Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:43.770 +0.413

NIKLAS AJO – Team Manager
“These three days of testing in Moto3 finished with perfect conditions on track. They’ve been very productive, with good weather and a lot of laps for both riders. Of course, first of all, Jose Antonio showed very good pace and was fast in the Time Attack. He finished the test in first position, and whilst this doesn’t mean anything, we’re very happy with his performance and his preparation for the season. Alvaro impressed all of us with his maturity and his performance at this point of the year. He came from JuniorGP and we’re very happy with his work. Of course, we’ll now be travelling to a lot of tracks he hasn’t seen before, and this doesn’t really help much, but I’m sure that all the work done here will help him to start the season in a good way.”

#99 JOSE ANTONIO RUEDA
“I’m very happy with how we managed to finish the third and final day in Jerez. Today we tried a few different things and everything worked very well, so we’re going to Thailand with confidence and with our homework done. These three days have gone very well. The feeling is very positive and the work done by the whole team has been excellent, so we’re really looking forward to starting the season next week.”

#83 ALVARO CARPE

“It was a really positive day here in Jerez to complete the preseason. We lowered the circuit record on the track, which is very important for me. The work with my crew has been very good and the progress is very positive, so we’re going to Thailand very excited. Communication is very important and as a team I think we’ve managed to establish a firm and very correct line of work. I’m looking forward to starting the season and enjoying it as much as I have done so far.”