The Moto3 rider finishes in fifth position, with Xabi Zurutuza eighteenth.

The Japanese Grand Prix came to an end on Sunday with Red Bull KTM Ajo completing an intense race, in which Jose Antonio Rueda made a great comeback to take fifth position. Xabi Zurutuza fought to reach the points, eventually coming home in eighteenth.

Rueda was forced to fight back through the field after starting from fourteenth position. The Red Bull KTM Ajo rider got off the line well, thanks to which he was already in eighth place after the opening laps. The Spanish rider also set a fast lap in the early stages, staying in the leading group and trying to continue advancing. Halfway through the race, the group broke away, leaving Rueda behind, although he did not give up and increased his pace on the final corners to catch up with the frontrunners again. Rueda continued to overtake riders for a remarkable fifth position.

Zurutuza started from the back of the grid, having been unable to get past Q1 on Saturday. The rookie held his position and tried to maintain a constant pace, lap after lap. Halfway through the race, Zurutuza pushed and managed to recover several places in his quest for points. Whilst he continued to battle until the end, he completed his first Japanese Grand Prix in eighteenth position.

Red Bull KTM Ajo will rest up next week, before the Australian Grand Prix from October 18- 20th.

Results Race
1. David Alonso (CFMOTO)
2. Collin Veijer (Husqvarna) +0.524
3. Adrian Fernandez (Honda) +0.766
4. Daniel Holgado (GASGAS) +1.168
5. Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) +1.209
18. Xabi Zurutuza (Red Bull KTM Ajo) +22.539

Moto3 World Championship Standing 2024
1. David Alonso (CFMOTO) 321 points
2. Daniel Holgado (GASGAS) 212 points
3. Collin Veijer (Husqvarna) 209 points
4. Ivan Ortola (KTM) 191 points
5. David Muñoz (KTM) 141 points
8. Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 121 points
22. Xabi Zurutuza (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 11 points

Moto3 Teams World Championship Standing 2024
1. CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team – 366 points
2. Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP – 290 points
3. MT Helmets – MSi – 287 points
4. Leopard Racing – 268 points
5. Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 – 262 points
7. Red Bull KTM Ajo – 135 points

Aki Ajo – Team Manager
“It was a challenging weekend in Moto3, especially because of the weather conditions. At least in the race it was more clear and we could have a solid race. Jose Antonio maybe started to catch the frontrunners too late to fight for the podium, but in any case we need to be really positive about this last part of the race, when he reeled in the front group and finally fought in the Top 5, close to the winner. This was positive after some challenging weekends. Xabi had a solid race, and of course step-by-step we hope to be closer to the points, but in any case we are collecting data and gaining experience. We hope to be fighting for the points again at Phillip Island.”

#99 JOSE ANTONIO RUEDA
“We managed to make up several positions at the start, so it was very positive after not having been able to qualify well yesterday. Halfway through the race I lost a bit of pace compared to those in front when I had contact with another rider. I fell a bit behind and it was a little difficult for me, but on the last laps I was sure that I would catch them again. I felt very comfortable and had much more pace, so I continued to overtake. If we had had a couple more laps we could have fought for the podium, and that moment in the middle of the race hindered us. I am very happy with how the weekend went. We took a good step forward and I think that in Australia we will be able to do better and continue improving in qualifying.”

#85 XABI ZURUTUZA
“We have ended a weekend in Japan with ups and downs. In the wet we had a very good feeling, but in the dry it was very difficult for us. In the race we made a big leap up and, although the feeling is still not the best, I do feel more comfortable. It’s time to rest this week to arrive at Phillip Island focused. I’m looking forward to riding at such a special circuit, so we’ll try to do better there once again.”