Miguel Oliveira takes step forward with setup of his KTM, whilst Brad Binder suffers an injury on the opening day.

The second and final test of the 2017 preseason before the winter break was a bittersweet one for the new Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 project. On one hand, Miguel Oliveira was able to test with the new KTM in all kinds of conditions -yesterday in the dry and today, for the first time, in the wet. On the other, a crash on Monday for Brad Binder caused him a fracture of his left radius, for which he underwent successful surgery in Barcelona today.

Oliveira and Red Bull KTM Ajo gathered a wealth of data from the test in Valencia. Yesterday, the Portuguese improved his feeling and dry setup, accumulating important laps after those put in last week in Jerez. On Tuesday, however, he completed his first 28 laps in the wet, riding cautiously and getting a feel for the KTM in these conditions.

The next test for the 2017 season will take place in February, when the winter ban ends.

Aki Ajo – Team Manager
“These four days of post-season testing have been very important for this new Moto2 project. In Jerez we had two days of very good weather, and in Valencia we had one day with good conditions and one with wet weather, but this has also been good for us. We must test ourselves in all kinds of conditions. The project is still beginning but we are convinced and very happy with what we have improved over recent days. The bad news has been Brad Binder’s injury. We don’t like what happened, but it’s something that happens in this sport. Fortunately, under the care of Dr. Mir, he has already been successfully operated on and now Brad has time to recover. I give him encouragement and hope he has a speedy recovery!”

#44 Miguel Oliveira
“These two days of testing have been very positive. On the first day the conditions were more favourable than today and we were able to do a lot of dry laps; I felt very good with the bike -which is improving- and the team have worked very well. We have not been able to test what we had scheduled for today because it rained, but we took advantage of this to ride our first laps in wet conditions. I end the first four days of 2017 preseason testing happy and eager to start again in February.”