The Red Bull KTM Ajo rider notches up his third consecutive win as he leaves Moto2, with Jorge Martin completing a fantastic Top 5 for the team.

The Red Bull KTM Ajo wrapped up the 2019 season in style on Sunday with another victory at the Valencia GP, thanks to a fantastic performance by Brad Binder. A third consecutive race win for the South African rider secured him the runner-up spot in the 2019 Moto2 standings, just three points behind the World Champion. Jorge Martin finished in a hard-earned fifth position, completing a fine finale to the year for the team.

The Moto2 race, which was reduced to 16 laps – following a series of incidents and the restart in Moto3 – would ultimately go down to the wire, with Binder completing a late overtaking move on the penultimate lap, to give him his fifth victory of the season. The South African made a great start from seventh on the grid, to move up to second place by lap two. Brad stayed behind the contest leader until a late move in the final part, which saw him ultimately cross the finish line as the winner. The result gives him the runner-up position in the 2019 Moto2 World Championship, in a season in which he achieved a total of 5 wins and 4 podiums.

For his part, Jorge Martin took off well from the front row of the grid and grabbed the lead on the first corner. The Spaniard initially held onto first place, but a brief run off track on the second lap saw him drop back several places. Martin went on to ride at a solid pace which would see him eventually cross the finish line in a positive fifth position. The result sees the 2018 Moto3 World Champion end his rookie year in Moto2 11th, with 94 points.

The Red Bull KTM Ajo team is now already focused on the 2020 season; they’ll participate in two days of testing at the Jerez-Angel Nieto Circuit next week, on 20th and 21st of November.

Results (Moto2 Race)
1. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 25:30.766
2. Thomas Luthi (Kalex) +0.735
3. Jorge Navarro (Speed Up) +1.045
4. Stefano Manzi (MV Agusta) +1.185
5. Jorge Martin (Red Bull KTM Ajo) +8.066

Moto2 World Championship Standings 2019
1. Alex Marquez (Kalex) 262 points
2. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 259 points
3. Thomas Luthi (Kalex) 250 points
4. Jorge Navarro (Speed Up) 226 points
5. Augusto Fernandez (Kalex) 207 points
11. Jorge Martin (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 94 points

Aki Ajo – Team manager

“It was a great day for the team and I’m very happy, as the first part of the season was hard for us. I’m very proud of everyone, of the staff, our sponsors, and of course, our valiant riders, who kept their motivation up during some difficult moments. We made big progress throughout the year and, although we were just three points away from the title, we have to be satisfied, because we’ve done a great job. It was a special end for Brad, as he’s been on the team for five years and we have never had a rider with us for so long. He has been a great rider, with a good attitude and a hardworking spirit. He’s given us a lot and we’ve learned a lot from him.”

41 BRAD BINDER

“I want to thank the team and KTM for all the work they have done throughout the year. The start of the season wasn’t easy but we kept fighting and working hard. We were in with a shot of winning the championship, and being just three points away from the title is incredible. Throughout the weekend I was riding alone, not following anyone, and today it was a bit harder trying to hunt down the other riders. I stayed focused, gave it all I could and in the end we did it. I have finished my time in Moto2 with a victory.”

88 JORGE MARTIN

“Today was a tough race for us. However, I’m very proud with how the year has gone in general, as we have improved from the beginning. I think today we got the tyre choice wrong, but I gave it everything and finally we achieved a Top 5 result. It has been a year of learning and I’m satisfied with my progress over the entire season. I’m happy with my team and I’m looking forward to 2020, with new goals and the motivation to keep working hard.”