The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 riders provide their analysis on the first nine Grands Prix of the 2019 season.

As the Moto2 World Championship riders enjoy their three week summer break, it is the perfect moment to look back over the nine races held so far in 2019. Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 pair, Brad Binder and Jorge Martin, evaluate their best moments to date and their goals for the second half of the year, amongst other points.

How would you assess the first half of the 2019 season?
#41 BRAD BINDER: “My first half of the year was difficult, because we faced some challenges. However, the most important point is that, little by little, things are slotting into place. I’m happy with the last few results we achieved, getting the two consecutive podiums in Holland and Germany. I’m looking forward to the second half of the season and going back to work.”

#88 JORGE MARTIN: “Overall it was positive, as we’ve been making progress and right from the first race I’ve been adapting to the bike. I’ve gained experience and I’m learning what it takes to ride a Moto2 machine. I think I have the required speed and I’m very happy with how the team is working with me, despite the setbacks we experienced. We have to keep in mind that it’s my first year in the class. In general, I’m satisfied with how the first nine contests of the year went.”

What was the best moment for you in the nine races of 2019 so far?
#41 BB: “My best moments were the last two Grands Prix. The result in Assen was great, because it had been a long time since I was on the podium. After Holland, we deserved the second place at Sachsenring even more because the team worked really hard; furthermore, in the race I had to come back and fight for the rostrum position.”
#88 JM: “Without a doubt, the best moment of the season was Assen. On Sunday I was able to fight for the victory during the race and that’s always a good memory. In the end, I had some bad luck, because I crashed in the last third of the contest. However, having been able to battle with the top riders in the category, it was a very valuable experience for me.”

What would you like to improve on after the summer break?
#41 BB: “The most important thing now is to fix the chattering problem that’s been dragging along for a few races. I think if we can improve on that and get a more stable feeling from the beginning to the end of contests, we’ll be better prepared to fight for the victory and be up there on a regular basis.”

#88 JM: “We have to improve at the end of the race and it’s an area we are going to work on after the holidays. I have to manage tyre wear better in the final laps and learn how to slide when its performance starts to drop.”

What is the objective for the rest of the season?
#41 BB: “The goal is to reduce the points gap to the leaders as much as we can. I don’t think the fight for the championship is over yet, so if we continue working in the same way and things progress as we hope and have planned for, we can get involved in the battle for the title.”

#88 JM: “I want to keep fighting to be the rookie of the year in Moto2. It will be tough, because we’re 48 points behind the best rookie at the moment, but I think we still have a chance. Another goal that we set for the second half of the season is to try to finish in the top 10 at every race.”