Ajo Academy rider crashes in Race 1 and is unable to take the start for Race 2 of first Moto2 European Championship round.

Tetsuta Nagashima experienced a bittersweet week in Valencia, at the opening round of the Moto2 European Championship season. Despite getting third place in qualifying on Saturday, his racing action lasted just a single lap on Sunday. A crash in Race 1 left the Japanese rider with an injury to his left forearm, and he failed to recover in time for the second contest in the FIM CEV.

During qualifying, Nagashima got the most out of his Kalex, claiming a place on the front row of the grid. His times were close to that of pole position, in both QP1 (1:36.763) and QP2 (1:36.860). Throughout the weekend the weather conditions were good, despite some strong gusts of wind.

Come raceday, the Ajo Academy rider experienced disappointment, crashing at Turn 5 in an incident involving another rider. He suffered a heavy blow to his left forearm, which would prevent him from taking the start of Race 2.

The Moto2 European Championship returns to action on May 29th at Motorland Aragon, where Nagashima will have the opportunity to get back onboard his Kalex.

Results – Race 1
1. Eric Granado (Kalex) 30:46.426
2. Steven Odendaal (Kalex) +7.898
3. Alan Techer (NTS Tpro) +13.223
4. Federico Fuligni (Kalex) +31.669
5. Samuele Cavalieri (Kalex) +36.106
–. Tetsuta Nagashima (Ajo Academy) DNF

Results – Race 2
1. Steven Odendaal (Kalex) 31:05.613
2. Alan Techer (NTS Tpro) +3.751
3. Federico Fuligni (Kalex) +9.297
4. Xavi Cardelus (Kalex) +24.646
5. Thibaut Bertin (Suter) +26.349
–. Tetsuta Nagashima (Ajo Academy)

FIM CEV Moto2 Championship Standing 2016
1. Steven Odendaal (Kalex) – 45 points
2. Alan Techer (NTS Tpro) – 36 points
3. Federico Fuligni (Kalex) – 29 points
4. Eric Granado (Kalex) – 25 points
5. Xavi Cardelus (Kalex) – 20 points
–.Tetsuta Nagashima (Ajo Academy) – 0 points

45 TETSUTA NAGASHIMA

“The work we did during the weekend has been magnificent. I’ve been feeling better and better with the bike. I am unhappy about the crash, because we had prepared a strategy to be on the podium and we weren’t able to carry it out. Fortunately, the accident had no serious consequences and in seven days I can start my recovery. I’m pleased because the feeling with the bike was very good and I had even got up into second before crashing. I want to thank the team for their efforts; I hope to be able to give my all at the next race in Aragon.”

Ajo Academy rider claims 6 points at first round of the RFME Spanish Championship in Albacete.

Barry Baltus successfully completed its first weekend in the PreMoto3 category of the RFME Spanish Championship, placing inside the Top Ten at Albacete. The 2015 Moto4 runner-up learned more about his BeOn bike and gained valuable experience, as well as his first points in the series.

In the QP1 qualifying session, Baltus set what would be his fastest time of the weekend –a 1:40.531 that was very encouraging for the Belgian. During QP2 he put in similar times –his best a 1:40.545– that put him seventh, heading up the fourth row of the grid after the timesheets were combined.

In the race, starting from 10th position, the Ajo Academy rider showed great maturity for his young age, biding his time and riding very confidently at a circuit where last year he took third place in Moto4. Despite dropping to 14th place midway through the contest, amongst a secong group of riders fighting for points, five laps from the end he pushed to regain 10th place. From there, the young Belgian maintained concentration to avoid mistakes and finish the race without problems. Baltus took his first 6 points of the season as a result.

The next round of the PreMoto3 series will be held from May 14th to 15th at the Circuito de Jerez.

Results PreMoto3 – Race
1. Sergio Garcia (Honda) 25:10.278
2. Francesc Perez  (ETG Racing) +0.049
3. Álex Toledo (Cuna Campeones) +0.197
4. Miguel Parra (Honda) +0.583
5. Julián Giral (CNS Motorsport) +0.802
10. Barry Baltus (Ajo Academy) +19.628

PreMoto3 Championship Standing 2016
1. Sergio Garcia (Honda) – 25 points
2. Francesc Perez  (ETG Racing) – 20 points
3. Alex Toledo (Cuna Campeones) – 16 points
4. Miguel Parra (Honda) – 13 points
5. Julian Giral (CNS Motorsport) – 11 points
10. Barry Baltus (Ajo Academy) – 6 points

Barry Baltus

“The feeling with the bike has been positive throughout the weekend. At first I struggled to adapt but I am very happy with the results. During the race I was able to ride very stably at the start, setting a consistent pace. I lost some time while I was in 13th, and the lead group broke away. After a few riders crashed out I moved up positions, but I did not feel comfortable with the rear tyre and I preferred not to take any more risks. I’m satisfied with my debut here at Albacete, I am feeling strong and I’m eager for the next race at Jerez.”

11 year old Belgian rider will be Academy’s first participant in RFME Spanish Championship in Pre-Moto3 class.

The Ajo Motorsport Academy today incorporated a new member to their project, with the arrival of Belgian rider Barry Baltus. The 11 year old will be the first representative of the Ajo Motorsport Academy in the Pre-Moto3 class of the RFME Spanish Championship. The move comes after the Finnish structure last week presented Tetsuta Nagashima as their FIM CEV Moto2 rider for 2016.

Despite his youth, Barry Baltus has attracted the attention of Aki Ajo with his talent, the way he trains and how he enjoys himself on the bike. Last season he finished second in the RFME Spanish Championship in Moto4, with a total of 3 wins and two podiums from 7 races. In 2016 Baltus moves up to the 7-round Pre-Moto3 category. Ahead of the opening round of the season at the Albacete Circuit on April 10th, the Belgian will begin testing this Tuesday with his new team and new bike -a BeOn.

With this new addition, the Ajo Motorsport structure is represented in three different series: The World Championship (MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3), the FIM CEV Repsol (European Moto2 Championship) and Spanish Championship (Pre-Moto3). The move marks an increase in support for young riders as they make their way up to the elite.

Aki Ajo – Team Manager

“We have always liked working with young riders and discovering new talents. I think the whole team are very excited about this project for the Ajo Motorsport Academy in the Pre-Moto3 Spanish Championship. Barry Baltus will be our first rider in this series. Last year, in the Moto4 Spanish Championship, we all saw that he had a great talent and stood out above many other riders. What I really liked was the method of work that he follows, taking the bike out every day -sometimes for many hours. This is very important for future riders, who need to test and train in various disciplines like motocross, dirt-track and supermoto. They always need to enjoy themselves on the bike, which is what really matters.”

Barry Baltus – Rider

“I still can’t believe that I’m part of the Ajo Motorsport Academy; I am very happy. It’s amazing to be joining this structure and to meet Aki [Ajo] and his team, from whom I’m sure I can learn a lot, because they have been with great champions like Marc Marquez and Johann Zarco. Aki has told me that this is just the beginning of my career and I have a lot ahead of me. The goal will be to learn and make progress at a set of circuits which fortunately I already know. Entering such a professional and structured team will be a big change for me, that I want to take advantage of to the fullest. I am just looking forward to tomorrow and my first test with the bike and the team.”

Japanese rider will be the first representative in Moto2 European Championship for Ajo Motorsport Academy, ampoule a structure that will support young riders in all aspects of their training.

In 2015, link Ajo Motorsport were protagonists in each of the World Championship classes, with Red Bull KTM Ajo in Moto3, Ajo Motorsport Team in Moto2 and management for MotoGP riders Maverick Viñales and Jack Miller. This year, the Finnish structure have added a new and exciting project to their portfolio: Ajo Motorsport Academy. This initiative will be in charge of educating young riders technically, mentally and physically for the leap up to the World Championship. The first rider to take part in the new setup will be Tetsuta Nagashima (02/07/1992, Kanagawa, Japan) who will compete in the intermediate category of the FIM CEV Repsol this season.

The 23-year old Japanese rider will be undertaking his second season in the Moto2 European Championship, in which he finished seventh in the overall standings last year -with two podiums: a 3rd and a 2nd place in the last three rounds-. Nagashima and Ajo Motorsport Academy aim to be candidates for the top spots in the series in 2016. Furthermore, there is the possibility of wildcard appearances in the World Championship, in which the Japanese rider contested 12 races in 2014 and Ajo Motorsport are the reigning champions with Johann Zarco.

The work of the Ajo Motorsport Academy will not be limited to the intermediate category of the FIM CEV Repsol, as it will also run teams in other competitions such as the RFME Spanish Championship in Pre-Moto3 class.

With the creation of the Ajo Motorsport Academy, the Finnish structure take another step forward in their growth and offer riders a project to accompany them from grassroots level to the elite of the MotoGP World Championship.

Aki Ajo – Team Manager

It is very exciting to announce this project that we will begin this year with Tetsuya Nagashima in the FIM CEV. This is the beginning of the Ajo Motorsport Academy, with which we want to help riders.

Last season we debuted in the Moto2 World Championship and this was the natural step to expand the project. We wanted to repeat the same team structure that brought such good results last year with Johann Zarco -World Champion in 2015. So we are undertaking a beautiful adventure in the FIM CEV.

Tetsuta had great results in 2015, placing on the podium twice. I hope that together we can keep learning and maintain the same level. This is a long-term project with a rider for whom we have high hopes, so we will also apply to try to get him a wildcard in the World Championship.

I hope that with our experience, that of Tetsuta and the support of our partners -who I want to thank for making this possible- we can seize this opportunity and celebrate great successes.

Tetsuta Nagashima – Rider

“I am very happy to start this project with the Ajo Motorsport Academy in the FIM CEV. Last year I took two podiums at the end of the season: One in Jerez and one in Valencia. These showed the improvements we made throughout the year.

This year will be all new for me. The team, the bike, the suspension etc., and we will have great potential. I tried the bike at the end of last season and the feeling was very good, I felt very comfortable riding the Kalex.

I hope to make use of the experience this team have as current World Champions in the intermediate category. I will try to learn as much as possible, as I will not let the opportunity to listen to the advice of a great rider like Zarco pass me by. I believe that together we can challenge for everything: Podiums, wins and fighting for the title. This should be the goal.

I can’t wait to start with the first pre-season tests and the season itself.”