The two Red Bull KTM Ajo riders close the Portimao Test with a good feeling after extensive work

Red Bull KTM Ajo’s intermediate class team in the World Championship had their first test of 2025 this week in Portimao, with riders Deniz Öncü and Collin Veijer. Besides Wednesday’s early rain, the two Moto2 riders were otherwise able to ride in dry conditions for the rest of the two days.

Öncü showed great progress throughout Wednesday and Thursday. On the first day, he completed a total of 63 laps, setting his best time in the final part of the day and placing close to the Top 10. He and the rest of the field were able to enjoy the entirety of Thursday on track in positive conditions, managing to lower his times considerably. The Turkish rider put in 64 laps, setting his best time of 1:41.920 for ninth on the timesheets. This lap was quicker than both his Wednesday marker and top time from the Portuguese Grand Prix last season, by more than a second.

Veijer waited until Wednesday afternoon to go out on track for the first time in Portimao. The Moto2 rookie focused on accumulating laps to work on his pace and get a feel for a track that was not in optimal conditions. The Dutchman was able to make it into the Top 15, with a total of 58 laps and just over a second off the best time. On the second day, conditions improved and he clocked a 1:42.425 to take 18th place, with a total of 63 laps undertaken.

The Red Bull KTM Ajo duo will be back in action from Tuesday, February 18th, with the start of the Official Test at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto. It will feature both the Moto2 and Moto3 classes, ahead of the start of the season in two weeks in Buriram.

Niklas Ajo – Team Manager

“Again, I want to say a massive thanks to our team for all the hard work in preparation over the winter. We have had a very short winter break, and everyone worked a lot to be as prepared as possible. We have been very fortunate with the weather here at Portimao. We had two days in dry conditions, and that is very positive to bring back the confidence after the winter months. Both riders did well, and now we’re focused on the Jerez test.”

#53 Deniz Öncü

“The first test of the season is done. Honestly, it was a positive test for us, and I enjoyed myself a lot back on the bike after a three month winter break. We took some good steps, and I felt very good on the bike, so I think we are working well to arrive in good shape for Thailand. Jerez is sure to be better, because we have three more days there, but I’m quite happy about what we have done at this first test.”

#95 Collin Veijer

“We made good improvements in Portimao. On the first day, we started working on the pace and tried to improve our feeling with different setups. I think we were capable of finishing the test with quite a good feeling, but today we were able to work much better because we had all day on track. I enjoyed being with the bike and the team a lot, so we want to keep working on this feeling next week at Jerez to arrive as prepared as possible in Thailand.”