The Dutchman completes the fifth row of the grid after a very close qualifying session. Rueda does not make it out of Q1 and will start 23rd.

Collin Veijer finished 15th in Q2 for the British Grand Prix, overcoming illness to ride competitively and set a lap just 3 tenths of a second off fifth place. Jose Antonio Rueda could only manage ninth in Q1 and will have to start from 23rd on the grid at Silverstone.

A good start to Saturday saw faster times than those from Friday morning. The Moto2 riders encountered 25°C track temperatures for Free Practice 2, along with 47% humidity.

Veijer was not at 100% for Free Practice 2, after feeling unwell overnight. The Dutch rider went out on track to assess his condition, and steadily improved throughout the session. Running a solid pace, he was able to move up the field towards the end, reaching 12th place with a best time of 2:02.827 which was slightly faster than his top lap from Friday. The Dutchman completed 13 laps of Silverstone. That was the same number of laps as Rueda, who once again demonstrated his ability to progress session by session, working alone during a long first run to place within the Top 20 -something he was barely able to do all day on Friday. After fine-tuning details with his setup, the series’ current top rookie managed to improve again on his penultimate lap of FP2. He ultimately took 14th position with a best time of 2:02.846, improving his best time from Friday by 4 tenths of a second.

In the afternoon, temperatures rose for Qualifying, reaching 42°C on track.

The first Red Bull KTM Ajo rider out was Rueda in Q1. He rode a solo first stint that provisionally placed him sixth, less than a tenth of a second from the Top 4 and very close to his best time of the weekend. After a tyre change he could not lower this time on either of his two flying laps and, unable to break the 2:03 barrier, was only able to take ninth place in Q1 with a 2:03.084. The Spaniard will start 23rd on raceday.

In Q2, Veijer had a slightly better start, giving him a chance to fight for a good grid position. On his first run he was only able to complete one flying lap before a red flag was shown following a crash. With a 2:02.762, his best time of the weekend, Veijer moved into 12th position provisionally, with almost nine minutes remaining. For his next run, the Red Bull KTM Ajo rider managed to lower his time by another 2 tenths, setting a 2:02.527 that kept him 15th after seven laps in a tight session.

In conclusion, it was a bittersweet Saturday for the Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 duo, who got off to a great start on the second day at Silverstone, although the qualifying result doesn’t quite reflect his real potential. Tomorrow, Collin Veijer and Jose Antonio Rueda will take part in the Moto2 British Grand Prix, which will open the Sunday action at Silverstone from 11:15 a.m. (local time), with a 17-lap contest at the longest track on the calendar.

Qualifying Results
1. Izan Guevara (Boscoscuro) | 2:01.483
2. Alonso Lopez (Kalex) | 2:01.809 (+0.326)
3. Ivan Ortola (Kalex) | 2:01.902 (+0.419)
4. Manuel Gonzalez (Kalex) | 2:02.090 (+0.607)
5. Daniel Muñoz (Kalex) | 2:02.265 (+0.782)
15. Collin Veijer (Red Bull KTM Ajo) | 2:02.527 (+1.044)
23. Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) | 2:03.084 (+1.601)

#95 COLLIN VEIJER

“I wasn’t feeling amazing today. I felt a little bit ill this night, so I couldn’t sleep that much. In any case, this morning we did a good job, so we can be pretty confident for tomorrow. In the afternoon, I came up against too many fights in the group, so I decided to ride on my own. My final lap time was not so bad, but there were a lot of riders with similar  times and we will start from 15th. Let’s see if I can get better for tomorrow and have a strong performance during the race here at Silverstone.”

#98 JOSE ANTONIO RUEDA

“Today went much better than yesterday, right from the start. We corrected things in the areas where there was the most room for improvement, and were able to run a good race pace, so I’m very satisfied with that aspect. However, Qualifying didn’t go well. It’s a very long circuit and I didn’t have time to do three consecutive flying laps. I went wide on one of my fastest laps and then we encountered a yellow flag, which prevented me from making much more progress. The wind was very noticeable today; we’ll have to see how we manage it tomorrow. The important thing is to get a good start. We’re far back, but we have the pace and we have to take advantage of it.”

The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 riders clinch fifth and seventh place in the closing moments of Q2.

Alvaro Carpe and Brian Uriarte had a solid Saturday at the British Grand Prix, albeit one in which they were unable to fully execute their strategy in Qualifying. The Red Bull KTM Ajo pair had to settle for fifth and seventh places on the grid, with Uriarte having been the fastest rider in Free Practice 2.

Following on from a strong Friday, Uriarte and Carpe started the second day with even better conditions than in Free Practice 1, with track temperatures reaching 19°C. This allowed the Moto3 riders to lap much faster than the previous morning.

Uriarte worked tirelessly from start to finish in FP2, aiming to find something extra for Sunday’s race. The rookie rode a series of laps on his own, holding third place until the final five minutes, when he moved into the top spot on used tyres. He took first place in Free Practice 2 with a time of 2:09.847, his third time leading a Free Practice session this season. He completed 14 laps in total. Carpe also focused his session on his setup for Sunday, working alone without reference points in order to concentrate on his own performance. With a long run throughout FP2, he finished tenth with a best time of 2:10.623.

In Q2, the two Red Bull KTM Ajo riders enjoyed ideal conditions that included a track temperature of 42°C, as they fought for positions high up on the grid. Uriarte and Carpe aimed to work as a team from the start, although they had to wait until the final minutes to set their first flying laps without traffic.

Carpe was able to climb to fifth position within just two laps, securing a place on the second row of the grid. He started off behind his teammate and other riders, with a perfect gap to set his pace comfortably. With a 2:09.585, his best time of the weekend, he rode two flying laps of his five laps overall, but made them count. Uriarte followed the same strategy as his teammate, but after a discreet first hot lap, the rookie headed the pack on his second and final attempt. On course for a provisional Pole Position, he lost significant time in the final sections, putting him seventh on the grid. His best time was a 2:09.851 after five laps.

All in all, positive results for the two Spanish riders from Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 team, who have the potential to fight for podium places in the race. The Moto3 British Grand Prix closes the weekend on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. (local time), with 15 laps of the longest circuit on the calendar.

Qualifying Results
1. Scott Ogden (KTM) | 2:09.126
2. Adrian Cruces (KTM) | 2:09.400 (+0.274)
3. Valentin Perrone (KTM) | 2:09.458 (+0.332)
4. David Almansa (KTM) | 2:09.461 (+0.335)
5. Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) | 2:09.585 (+0.459)
7. Brian Uriarte (Red Bull KTM Ajo) | 2:09.851 (+0.725)

#83 ALVARO CARPE

“Today we achieved our goal. I worked with my teammate, but it wasn’t easy with such a large group. Fortunately, we managed to handle it quite well, and we’ll start from the second row of the grid. Tomorrow we want to fight for the win, so we’ll try to give it our best from the start and enjoy it to the fullest. The race will likely be run in a pack, so we’ll have to be very attentive from start to finish. I like close racing, so we’ll try to manage it in the best way possible.”

#51 BRIAN URIARTE

“This morning went very, very well. The race pace was very good; I think we’re among the fastest riders for that, so I’m very happy with it. For it being a new track, we’re adapting very well. Qualifying didn’t go as we expected, but seventh place isn’t too bad; we’ll just have to make up some ground tomorrow. I’m confident and I think we have what it takes to do well, so we’ll give it our all and enjoy it, because it’s going to be a tough and long race.”

The Dutchman places 14th in Practice and Jose Antonio Rueda, after receiving medical clearance, finishes 24th.

A margin of 7 thousandths of a second allowed Collin Veijer to continue his streak of direct Q2 appearances, which now stands at twelve after the first twelve Grands Prix of the 2026 season. On his first ever experience with a Moto2 bike at Silverstone, the Dutchman finished 14th in both sessions. Jose Antonio Rueda could only manage 24th in Practice, but improved his morning time by almost a second -and received medical clearance to continue for the rest of the weekend at the British Grand Prix.

An hour later than usual, the Moto2 class kicked off their British Grand Prix action with Free Practice 1 at 11 a.m. Track temperature was up to 28°C for the session.

Veijer started out by slotting into the Top 15, as he looked for a feeling that would allow him to progress throughout the weekend. Riding alone, the Dutchman improved with each lap, lowering times on several occasions both before and after his pit stops. His best time finally came on his twelfth lap of 14, a 2:03.809 which placed him 14th. Rueda began his work much more cautiously, checking how his right hand would react after the surgery he underwent just two weeks ago and having had barely any time to practice on a bike before arriving at Silverstone. He climbed into the Top 20, just two seconds behind the fastest rider. After a pit stop to fine-tune some initial details, he went back out and shaved tenths off his time, clocking a 2:04.557 after fifteen laps. Rueda was 23rd on the timesheets.

Later in the afternoon, Practice began with slightly warmer temperatures of 46°C on track, and with it the circuit record at Silverstone was broken.

Veijer reaffirmed his performance at a track where he was riding for the first time in his Moto2 career. He centred his work on further fine-tuning his bike for Sunday’s race, and returned to the pits in ninth place. Aiming to secure his 12th direct entry into Q2 from as many Grands Prix, he achieved the feat despite not bettering his time on his next run, placing inside the Top 14 by just 7 thousandths of a second with a 2:02.845 after 14 laps. Rueda had more confidence after receiving final clearance from the medical team at the end of the morning session. He also focused on gathering data throughout almost the entire Practice, and entered the decisive part of the session in 25th position, having improved significantly compared to the morning. After changing tyres, he was able to make another leap forward, reaching a 2:03.249 just 1.4 seconds off the fastest time of the session. However, after 12 laps he could not place higher than 24th and will have to go through Q1.

All in all, it’s been a busy Friday for the Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 team at Silverstone. With one rider in each qualifying session, the team will be aiming tomorrow to get both of them into the fight for Pole Position. On Saturday, Veijer and Rueda will take part in Free Practice 2 at 10:25 a.m. (local time), before the Spaniard participates in Q1 at 2:40 p.m. The Dutch will make his qualifying appearance in Q2, starting at 3:05 p.m.

Practice Results
1. Daniel Holgado (Kalex) | 2:01.815
2. Senna Agius (Kalex) | 2:01.910 (+0.095)
3. Manuel Gonzalez (Kalex) | 2:02.087 (+0.272)
4. Alex Escrig (Forward) | 2:02.277 (+0.462)
5. Izan Guevara (Boscoscuro) | 2:02.400 (+0.585)
14. Collin Veijer (Red Bull KTM Ajo) | 2:02.845 (+1.030)
24. Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) | 2:03.249 (+1.434)

#95 COLLIN VEIJER

“Today was my first ever day with a Moto2 bike at Silverstone, so it was not easy to adapt -because it’s a very long track. The first session was a little bit difficult, but we ended up with not a big gap to the fastest riders. In Practice, we tried our best and we had a decent first stint in terms of our pace. Finally, we managed to get into Q2, so I’m happy with the work we did. The goal for tomorrow is to find something else with our setup, so we can fight better in Qualifying. As always, we will give it our all.”

#98 JOSE ANTONIO RUEDA

“I felt much better than I expected after having ridden very little on the bike these last few weeks. There’s still a lot of room for improvement, especially in specific sections of the circuit, but I know we can achieve that. The feeling has been good after the surgery, so it’s not a bad starting point. The goal for tomorrow is to close the gap to the front and find a more competitive pace, so I have to work hard with my team to keep making steady progress before the end of the weekend.”

The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 duo secure direct spots in Q2 after a very positive first day at the British Grand Prix.

Red Bull KTM Ajo completed the first day at Silverstone with positive feelings all round. Brian Uriarte placed fourth and Alvaro Carpe eighth in the British Grand Prix Practice session, leaving both riders ready to fight for the Pole Position tomorrow.

Ideal track temperatures of 26°C greeted the riders for the first day of action, as they began proceedings with Free Practice 1 at 10 a.m. local time.

Carpe was the pacesetter in the opening minutes of Free Practice 1. The Spaniard focused on finding a good setup to kick off the weekend well, and remained in the Top 3 until past the halfway point of the session. After his trip back to the garage, he reemerged with seven minutes for a final stint. Focused on preparing for Sunday’s race, he didn’t improve his time further on used tyres, settling for a 2:11.429 after 13 laps of the longest circuit on the calendar. Carpe placed 8th in the session. Uriarte also put in 13 laps, and showed signs of adapting quickly to a track completely new to him. In just over fifteen minutes, the Moto3 World Championship’s top rookie climbed to fourth place, right behind his teammate. Following a similar strategy to Carpe, Uriarte also ran the same tyre for the final part of the session, taking 12th place with a best time of 2:11.558.

For Practice, track temperatures rose to 45°C, as the Moto3 field attempted to make their way into Q2.

Uriarte rode alongside David Almansa and Maximo Quiles, two of the strongest competitors in the series, to find a good race pace on his initial run. His 2:09.668 allowed him to maintain first place until the final minutes, when the rest of the field began their Time Attacks. Whilst he himself also went back out in search of a quicker time, he was unable to do so, and after thirteen laps, had to settle for fourth place. Carpe worked predominantly on his own, although he was also able to latch onto a group to assess his feeling in terms of reference points and slipstreaming. After a somewhat more subdued start to Practice, he went on to make a significant leap forward, getting within just 2 tenths of a second of his teammate and dropping into the 2:09s before launching his final attack in the closing minutes. Like his teammate, he did not manage to take further tenths off, and his 2:09.929 gave him eighth place.

In conclusion, two direct places in Q2 for the Spanish Moto3 duo from Red Bull KTM Ajo, who felt comfortable today both riding in a group and on their own. Tomorrow, at Silverstone, both riders will go straight into Q2 at 2:10 p.m. (local time). Before that, in the morning, they will participate in Free Practice 2 at 9:40 a.m., one hour later than usual.

Practice Results
1. Valentin Perrone (KTM) | 2:09.568
2. Scott Ogden (KTM) | 2:09.578 (+0.010)
3. Veda Pratama (Honda) | 2:09.639 (+0.071)
4. Brian Uriarte (Red Bull KTM Ajo) | 2:09.668 (+0.100)
5. Casey O’Gorman (Honda) | 2:09.751 (+0.183)
8. Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) | 2:09.929 (+0.361)

#83 ALVARO CARPE

“The day went very well overall. We put in some very good laps, both with used and new tyres, so the feeling is very positive to start things off here at Silverstone. I didn’t quite manage a good Time Attack on the last run in Practice, but we got into Q2, which is what’s important. I really like the circuit, we’re enjoying ourselves, and the weather has been kind to us so far, so everything has started as it should. Now we have to focus on Qualifying and fine-tuning details for Sunday.”

#51 BRIAN URIARTE

“I’m very happy with today. I felt very comfortable on a circuit I didn’t know, and which also seemed very challenging. The goal was to adapt as quickly as possible, and I think we achieved that, so I’m very satisfied with us going directly into Q2. Tomorrow morning we can focus on preparing for Qualifying and the race. We know very well what steps we need to take now, and we’re convinced we can take them to arrive on Sunday in the best possible condition.”

The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 duo kick off the second half of the season at the legendary Silverstone circuit.

Collin Veijer and Jose Antonio Rueda get back in the saddle this weekend after a near-four week break, as they travel to Silverstone for the British Grand Prix. The longest circuit on the calendar awaits the Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 pair when the second half of the 2026 season gets underway.

Veijer has had a summer break of hard training and also a minor procedure to address lingering discomfort in his right arm. After training normally in recent weeks, he now wants to resume his positive momentum from Brno, Assen, and Sachsenring -where he once again finished in the Top 10. Aiming to maintain this consistency, the Red Bull KTM Ajo rider approaches Silverstone with great confidence. However, he faces a major challenge: He missed last year’s race in Great Britain due to injury, meaning he has no experience at the track with a Moto2 bike. He currently sits 10th in the overall standings with 55.5 points.

Rueda has also a similar approach to the British track this weekend: he had strong performances in recent races, including Top 10 finishes at Assen and Sachsenring. His eighth place in Germany marked his best result in the class to date. Like his teammate, he is also coming off a minor surgical procedure -to remove hardware inserted following his serious injury last year- and has never ridden a Moto2 bike at Silverstone. With slightly less preparation time than his teammate following his procedure, Rueda will aim to regain his feel and hand strength starting Friday after receiving medical clearance at the circuit. The Spaniard is 16th in the standings with 27 points, and leads the Rookie of the Year ranking.

Red Bull KTM Ajo have 82.5 points, holding seventh place in the Team standings. At Silverstone, they previously reached the podium in five consecutive editions: Brad Binder finished third in 2019, Remy Gardner and Augusto Fernandez won in 2021 and 2022, and Pedro Acosta and Celestino Vietti placed third in 2023 and 2024.

With a different schedule for this weekend, Moto2 Free Practice 1 starts at 10:50 a.m. (local time) on Friday, with the 17-lap Moto2 British Grand Prix on Sunday at 11:15 p.m., being the first contest of the day this time.

Circuit information – Silverstone Circuit
Length: 5.900 m / 3,666 miles
Width: 15 m / 49.21 ft.
Left corners: 8
Right corners: 10
Longest straight: 770 m / 0.478 miles
Built: 1947
Modified: 2010

#95 COLLIN VEIJER

“I’m very excited to get back riding again. We’ve done a lot of training, especially after the surgery. We had to rest a little bit, but now we’re far better after some great days on track. We felt comfortable with different bikes, so I’m very happy to be back for a race week with my team. This will be my first time with a Moto2 bike at Silverstone, so I’m very excited to start working towards a good start to this second part of the season.”

#98 JOSE ANTONIO RUEDA

“Silverstone is a circuit I have great memories of from last year in Moto3. Hopefully, we’ll adapt quickly to it with the Moto2, but whatever happens, I’m sure we’ll enjoy it -because it’s a really fun track. We’ll have to take things step by step to see how my hand responds after the surgery we had after the German GP. We haven’t been able to train as much as we would have liked, but we’re going to give it our all from the start. I hope the weekend goes well and I will approach the next two weeks calmly, as we finish recovering from my hand issue as much as possible.”

Alvaro Carpe and Brian Uriarte arrive in Great Britain for the twelfth round of the campaign.

After an almost four-week break, Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 return to work at Silverstone this weekend. Alvaro Carpe and Brian Uriarte compete in the British Grand Prix, which starts the second half of the 2026 season.

Carpe has already secured four podiums this season, and wants to reclaim second place in the overall standings at a track where he performed excellently during his rookie campaign last year. He and teammate Jose Antonio Rueda had a one-two in qualifying in 2025 -a penalty for his teammate allowing Carpe to take Pole Position for the race- and he placed fourth, narrowly missing out on a rostrum finish at Silverstone. Carpe currently sits third in the overall standings with 126 points.

Uriarte is unfamiliar with the British track, which is the longest circuit on the Moto3 World Championship calendar. Despite this challenge, the rookie is in exceptional form. At the last round in Germany, he managed to best the current series leader in a duel for victory, and earned his second win of the season, which means the third rostrum in the last five races. Top of the Rookie of the Year ranking and second in the overall standings, he arrives at Silverstone with 127 points to his name.

In short, Silverstone is set to receive the World Championship this weekend, where Red Bull KTM Ajo arrives second on the team standings with 253 points. The legendary British track – the longest on the calendar – is a circuit where the team already had previous success: Brad Binder won there in 2016, with teammate Bo Bendsneyder taking third place. The team’s other victory came last year thanks to Jose Antonio Rueda’s surge from the back of the grid, whilst Jaume Masia finished second in 2022.

Action at the British Grand Prix begins this Friday at 10:00 a.m. (local time) with Moto3 Free Practice 1, one hour later than usual in European rounds. Also the 15-lap Moto3 race will start later than usual, being the final event of the day on Sunday, starting at 2:30 p.m.

Circuit information – Silverstone Circuit
Length: 5.900 m / 3,666 miles
Width: 15 m / 49.21 ft.
Left corners: 8
Right corners: 10
Longest straight: 770 m / 0.478 miles
Built: 1947
Modified: 2010

#83 ALVARO CARPE

“The break has been good for us to rest up and recharge for the second half of the season. We’ve been able to push ourselves, work hard, and also disconnect, so I’m very motivated to get back on track with my team. Silverstone is a really fun circuit, so we’re going to give it our all to try and get a good result, just like we did last year. We’re ready for whatever we face.”

#51 BRIAN URIARTE

“Silverstone is a circuit I’ve never been to, so I’ll have to adapt—which won’t be easy, given that it’s the longest track on the calendar. I’m sure there are plenty of nuances I’ll need to learn over the course of the weekend, but I’m ready for the challenge. We’re coming off a victory, and I know expectations from outside are likely high, but I want to start from scratch, work as I always do, focus on my team, and give it my all. The summer break was really good for me -both for switching off and for training- so we’re ready to get going again.”

The reigning Moto3 World Champion reflects on a first half of the 2026 season that wasn’t easy after landing in the intermediate class.

Jose Antonio Rueda currently leads the Rookie of the Year standings in the Moto2 World Championship, despite an injury at the end of 2025 that complicated his arrival in the intermediate class. The reigning Moto3 World Champion achieved his best result in the series just before the summer break, with eighth place at the German Grand Prix, and is hoping for more in the second half of 2026.

– Last year we discussed about your regularity. Now, after finding some consistency in Moto2, do you consider it the most fundamental thing for you?

Yes, without a doubt. It’s the most important thing here in the World Championship, because we compete over a long period of time across many different circuits that vary significantly from one another. Being competitive under such diverse conditions is the tricky part of racing at this level, and to always be up there fighting at the front is no easy task. Everything can change from one weekend to the next, from your physical and mental state to the weather conditions -not to mention the specific characteristics of each circuit or country. For me, it is by far the most fundamental aspect, especially now that the seasons are getting longer and longer.

– During the preseason, you jumped on the Moto2 bike later than all your rivals. What was it like going through the recovery and adaptation processes simultaneously?

It’s quite a tricky situation. To be honest, it’s something I wouldn’t wish on anyone. The opening races of the year were really tough for me, so managing it all was far from easy. After becoming the Moto3 World Champion following a great 2025, adapting to a new set of circumstances is a bit of a challenge. Obviously, you know from the start that Moto2 is tough, but until you experience it firsthand, you don’t fully grasp just how difficult it is -especially without having had a preseason due to injury. Regardless, as I’ve said many times, that’s no excuse. The circumstances were what they were, and everything happens for a reason, so I don’t want to dwell on it. Since the French Grand Prix, we’ve been doing a good job on the bike, and that’s the key takeaway. Whenever I’ve been able to give 100%, I think that step forward has been noticeable, and that’s what matters when you’re going through a learning and adaptation process like this one.

-You’re still working as you always did in Moto3: alone and without references. What aspects of your riding style have you had to change the most?

It’s good to have a solid foundation in terms of your working methodology. Moto2 is a class where your pace counts for a lot, and you don’t achieve that just by following other riders. That’s fine for chasing a lap time, but it’s vital to work alone -just as we always did in Moto3- especially to see what I’m doing right and what I’m lacking or need to change. I find working on my own really helps me identify the things I need to adjust. In fact, in France, we noticed several details regarding my riding style, particularly on right-hand corners. I was handling left-handers well, but we saw that wasn’t the case for right-handers, so we had to correct some details. That isn’t easy when you’re already deeply accustomed to certain styles or movements.

-Do you think the maturity gained in 2025 has helped you better manage your transition to Moto2?

I think what really helped me mature in the World Championship -more than 2025- were the two preceding years. Especially 2024, when we had to learn a great deal, both personally and professionally. In fact, thanks to how we handled that period, we were able to handle the start of 2026 much better, particularly from a mental standpoint. Things didn’t get off to a good start this season, but we managed to turn the situation around, and now we’re in much better shape. Without a doubt, Moto2 remains a very tough class where everything can change drastically from one weekend to the next. But you have to stay strong and be ready for whatever comes your way.

“I think what really helped me mature in the World Championship -more than 2025- were the two preceding years”

-You said that the things changed that much during the FrenchGP. How crucial was it to undergo surgery for compartmental syndrome?

Honestly, I didn’t realise the issue with my right arm was so serious. At first, I thought it was all concentrated in my hand, but it was more in the arm itself. Perhaps it could have been detected sooner, but the important thing is that we identified one of the key factors that has helped me keep working and learning.

-After Le Mans, you finished 4 out of 5 races into the points, with some appearances into the Q2 also. Did you expect your current level of consistency to come so quickly?

I didn’t think it would happen so fast -especially in such a tough class. After France, we spotted something that really helped us take a solid step forward, but I didn’t expect to make that leap so quickly. In Barcelona, we managed to reach Q2 for the first time and qualify ninth; I remember that as a weekend in which we learnt a lot, because we showed consistency over two consecutive Grands Prix and started to really believe in ourselves. In Moto2, you can never get complacent because everyone is fast and the field is incredibly tight, but when you see yourself repeating positive results back-to-back, your perspective changes. Of course, now we have to keep working, keep moving forward, make Q2 more often, and fine-tune the details we struggle with most.

-You’re sharing box now with Collin Veijer, with one more year of experience in the class than you. How has having him in the garage helped you?

I’m really happy to have a teammate like Collin. We’ve gotten along well for years; we’ve known each other and raced together since our minimoto days, so having him alongside me is very rewarding. He is a rider I can learn from, both on and off the track, so having him on the team during my first year in Moto2 has been very positive; I think he is one of the best teammates I could possibly have. We were battling against one another at the Czech Grand Prix, and that gives me extra confidence. Obviously, we both race to win, but it really motivates me to be able to learn from him going head-to-head on Sundays; he is a very fast rider, and that helps me keep improving.

-At the beginning of the year, you didn’t want to think too much in specific goals. What is your mindset for the second half of the season?

Honestly, I don’t have anything specific in mind. I want to keep working the way we have been, become more competitive in our weaker areas, and be a more well-rounded rider overall. Once we achieve that, I think we can start thinking about more concrete goals. But right now, since it’s my first year, I want to enjoy riding the bike, learn as much as possible, work hard with my team, and try to do my best in every race. Consistency remains the hardest part and brings the greatest reward, so I need to keep going. That doesn’t change the fact that I’m very happy with how the first half of the season has gone, especially since the French Grand Prix, so I’m really looking forward to tackling the second half of 2026.

With the excellent result at Sachsenring – his second Top 10 finish of the season – Rueda has further fitted his name in the category, with half of his debut season still to come. Sitting 16th in the standings with 27 points and the rookies lead, the Red Bull KTM Ajo rider is focused now on consolidating its position in the Top 10 or 15 in every race. The Spaniard will be back in action next week at the legendary Silverstone circuit, where the series resumes on August 7-9th with the British Grand Prix.

The Dutchman talks about the first part of the season and explains the keys to improving during the last part of the year.

Collin Veijer is tenth in the Moto2 overall standings at the halfway point of the 2026 season. The Dutch rider, who has one Pole Position and one podium finish to his name, reflects on how his second season in the intermediate class has begun and outlines the key factors needed to take another step forward in the second half of the year with Red Bull KTM Ajo.

With the first half of 2026 over, what mark would you give yourself?

At the moment, I would give the season a 5 out of 10. We’re not exactly where we want to be yet, so for me it’s not enough when we look at what we wanted to do this year. I would give only a 5, that way I have extra motivation for the second part of the year.  

Last year you suffered an injury that prevented you from becoming regular during the first part of the year.  Do you think you’ve managed to take a step forward with your fitness?

I still have a little injury to my shoulder from the US Grand Prix, but we’re managing it quite well and it’s gradually getting way better. Every time we’re on track there have been big improvements overall, so I’m very happy in general. I’m 100% sure we are much better physically than we were last year. 

You’re regularly in the Top 10 during all the weekend. What do you think is missing to make that final leap into the Top 5?

The final thing that we need to solve is my riding style, so for sure that’s one of the key points that we still need to change. I think that if we can fix that, we can make big steps forward. So, as soon as we fix those things, I think there could be a next nice chapter waiting for us.

Which do you consider to have been your best weekend so far, overall? 

Jerez and maybe Assen are probably two of the best ones so far. I think Jerez was the best experience of the year and I think we had one of the best weekends so far there, so let’s hope we can have more of them in the next few rounds. 

Some weeks ago, you enjoyed a very special home GP. How does it feel to be such an inspiration to so many people from your country?

A home round is a very nice thing to have, and the Dutch GP was a special event. It’s one of my favourites, experience wise; it’s amazing seeing a lot of people from your country supporting you. It’s always a very nice feeling. I really enjoyed Assen and I really hope next year we can make it an even bigger party.

“It’s amazing seeing a lot of people from your country supporting you. It’s always a very nice feeling. I really enjoyed Assen”

This year you’re sharing box with Rueda, who’s also had a difficult start as a rookie. Now that he’s taken his first solid step forward, what advice would you give him for the second half of the season?

The advice I would give to Rueda is to just keep going in the same way. He shouldn’t stress too much and try to keep his progress going. He’s doing a really good job and I was in the same situation as him last year, where you start to learn and sometimes you encounter a little bit of a dip. I’d tell him to stay focused, don’t think too far ahead, and try to be as consistent as possible, as that’s one of the real keys of the class.

And the final one, now you’re sitting in 10th place in the overall standings, and having scored far more points than in the first half of 2025. Which are your goals for the rest of the season?

The rest of the goals for the second half of the season are clear: We want to try to improve the things that we have been talking about already, since the start of the year, in terms of my riding style. We just need to get a better feeling and get into a flow on track. We will use the summer break to try to get to the front more regularly -or at least fight for the top positions again. I feel that we are able to do that if I keep my focus and find a good feeling .

In short, with 55.5 points to his name after the first eleven Grand Prix races, Veijer is keen to take another significant step forward before the end of 2026. To begin working towards that improvement, the Dutchman is already focusing on the next round of the Moto2 World Championship, which will take place next week at Silverstone as part of the British Grand Prix (7–8–9 August).

After an excellent first half of the year, the Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 rider has clear objectives for the second part of the season.

Brian Uriarte has burst into the scene in the Moto3 World Championship with strength and personality. Something he has demonstrated with two victories, a second-place finish and a Pole Position in only eleven Grands Prix, propelling him to second place in the overall standings. The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 rookie reflects on his season so far, and gives his goals for the remainder of the campaign.

– Your numbers are good enough to consider your landing excellent. Did you expect to adapt so quickly in your first season in the Moto3 World Championship?

I didn’t expect it to be so fast, but I think the team are proving what we’re capable of together. In the end, it’s not just me getting good results; they’re contributing a lot to my development. I think I quickly realised that this is a team with a lot of experience, and they’re clearly helping me grow very rapidly. We’re taking steps forward with each race, and I think the improvements are noticeable, but it hasn’t been easy to adapt.

– The preseason was not easy, but you’ve been demonstrating growth in no too much time. What do you think are the keys for it?

I think it’s down to me staying calm and adapting to both the conditions and the situations at each circuit, although that’s not easy for someone new to a series. It’s also vital to keep expectations low, not to get carried away so you don’t suffer if things don’t start off easy. In the end, when you expect too much, it might not be as easy as you anticipate, and that can also work against you. Another important aspect is my preparation with my team. There’s still work to be done in terms of my fitness, but I prepared very well during preseason, and thanks to that, we’re making the progress we’re making.

– Your main goal in winter was to achieve your first podium. Now, with two victories in the pocket, which is your main objective?

To have taken my first wins already was unexpected, both for me and for those around me. It’s been hard work, we’ve put in a lot of effort, and they’ve come as a result of that work. Now, my main goal is to be Rookie of the Year and fight for a Top 5 finish in the overall standings. I think both are realistic goals, since we are currently in a position to achieve them, so I’m very satisfied. Other important objectives for me are to show consistency and, of course, to keep learning and improving in every race. We still have things to learn, that’s clear.

– You’re sharing box with Alvaro Carpe, with whom you’ve a good relationship. What does Alvaro Carpe bring to the table to help you?

My teammate offers me a lot because, ultimately, he’s someone I can look up to and compare myself to, which is a positive thing. I’m also lucky that he’s a very fast rider; he’s third in the standings and fighting for the top spot, just like he did last year. Alvaro is helping me a lot in different aspects and I’m learning a great deal from him. In fact, I think I’m gradually getting closer to his level, and that allows us to help each other -which is very positive for both of us and, above all, for the entire Red Bull KTM Ajo team.

“Alvaro is helping me a lot in different aspects and I’m learning a great deal from him. In fact, I think I’m gradually getting closer to his level, and that allows us to help each other”

 – Five out of eleven Grand Prixs were held in unfamiliar circuits for you. How have you tried to adapt to all of them in such a short time?

Mainly, I try to rely on my team to help me arrive mentally prepared for the circuits I don’t know. It’s easier on the circuits I do know, because I have a clearer understanding of them from the start, but I’m also riding a different bike now, and it’s very different from the one from the Red Bull Rookies Cup. The most important thing is to arrive well-prepared on race day, in order to try and be close to the front of the race. It’s difficult to arrive at a circuit and find yourself so far from the front when you don’t know the track, but you have to make the effort to understand it yourself. Needing adaptation and having room for improvement is normal. Now we’re being more consistent so we can reach the front on Sundays, which is our main goal, and we’re achieving it, so I’m very happy with the progress we’re showing.

 – After Sachsenring, you’ve completed the 50% of the season so far. If you had to choose one Grand Prix as the best overall, which would it be? And which one was the most challenging?

In terms of the best, I would obviously choose the Italian Grand Prix, where I achieved my first victory. It was also a good weekend overall and I think I enjoyed it quite a lot. The German Grand Prix isn’t far behind, as we won again. If I had to choose a key moment of this season, it would be the Jerez Test after the Spanish Grand Prix, which is when we managed to find a solid base and a definitive path to start working on. I think we took a big step forward there, and since then we’ve shown clear improvements in adapting much better to all conditions.

There hasn’t been one circuit that has been more difficult than the rest for me, but I struggled quite a bit in Brazil and the United States. The circuits at the beginning of the season were tough, but right now we’ve managed to be solid and consistent wherever we go, so there hasn’t been a circuit that’s proved overly challenging for me.

 – Now is moment to rest a little bit. What do you like to do in the summer break?

In my free time, what I like most is cycling, and I already have several routes planned for this summer break. I’ll try to both enjoy myself and train to be ready for Silverstone, as the second half of the season is just around the corner. When I have time off, I also like to get on a motorbike: We’re obsessed with this sport, and I think it shows. I’ll train as much as possible, disconnect with my family and friends, go on vacation, and have a good time before getting back into things. We still have many races ahead, and the end of the season is very important for us. We have to keep working the way we have been; I’m sure we can continue to spring some surprises from time to time as well.

With plenty of confidence after a very solid first half of the season, Uriarte is now approaching the second one more motivated than ever. With not too much pressure in his rookie year, Brian wants to continue making significant progress alongside Alvaro Carpe and his team, with whom he comfortably occupies second place in the team standings. Next up for Uriarte will be a trip to Silverstone, another completely new circuit for him, where he will try to continue his progress. This takes place on August 7th to 9th at the British Grand Prix.

The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 rider, after 4 podiums and a Pole Position, reflects on the first half of 2026 in a mid-season interview.

Alvaro Carpe has always been a talented and fast rider with a strong desire to improve, day by day, race by race, and year by year. Following his debut in 2025, the Spaniard finished fourth in the overall standings, with five podium finishes – a truly remarkable achievement for a rookie rider in the Moto3 World Championship. Now, with the first half of the 2026 season completed, Carpe has four podium finishes and 126 points, which puts him third in the overall standings. One thing that still eludes the Spaniard is a first Grand Prix win, which is his main objective for the second half of the campaign, apart from showing consistency until the last round.

– One Pole Position and four podiums later, you are third on the standings. Was this the start to the season you were hoping for?

In some ways, yes. We’ve worked well, we’ve continued to evolve, we’ve had some pretty good races, and I’m sure there are more to come. On the other hand, we’re still waiting for our first victory, but these things happen, and sometimes everything doesn’t quite align. I know we’ve been having some very good Sundays, and in addition to four podium finishes we’ve been quite consistently in the leading group, so in that respect, I think we’ve delivered on what we set out to do.

– In the US Grand Prix, you seemed incredibly hungry after repeating P4 in Thailand and Brazil. How did you approach that weekend?

In the United States, the weekend went quite well for me overall. I really liked the circuit last year, and this year we were able to enjoy it a lot as well. I felt very good and was comfortable and fast on the bike. Whether I was riding alone or in a group, I felt like one of the strongest riders there. On the Sunday, we went for the win, and we almost got it. I think we should have done a bit better on that last lap. I arrived in Austin really motivated after just missing out on the podium in the previous two races. I wanted to do well and show our potential, and we came very close to finishing the weekend in the best possible way.

– How important is it for you to achieve your first win?

That win would help me a lot mentally, I think, but as I always say, we shouldn’t stress about it too much, since I’m clear about the potential we have. The most important thing is to maintain consistency and keep fighting for the win whenever possible; that way, it is sure to come. Obviously, you always want to win and do better than before, but that victory is something that can come at any moment, even when you least expect it. And if it doesn’t, it’s okay; you have to keep working and keep believing in yourself, because there are many people behind us who will be doing that.

“Obviously, you always want to win and do better than before, but that victory is something that can come at any moment, even when you least expect it. And if it doesn’t, it’s okay; you have to keep working and keep believing in yourself”

– The team showed a strong performance during the first half of the year. You’re working also with Brian, especially on Q2. What is your relationship like with him?

My relationship with my teammate is pretty good. We get along very well, and we can work together a lot now that he’s taken such a solid step up to be competitive at any circuit. I’ve known Brian for years; we’ve been competing against each other for a long time, but now that we share a garage, I think we learn from each other, and that’s vital for both of our growth. Overall, I’m quite happy to have a teammate like him and that the level he gives us is so competitive.

– This season you already know all the circuits, except Brazil. How have you approached the Grands Prix now?

Arriving at a circuit you know and where you already have experience in the World Championship is vital, so you have to try to take full advantage of that, both in practice and in the races. It’s actually in that final stretch of the race where that experience is most noticeable. Undoubtedly, arriving at a circuit with knowledge of it in the class you’re competing in is a huge benefit.

– Which race so far this year stands out for you, and which race would you change if you could?

I think I’d choose Barcelona because getting a podium finish in a race like that, at home in Spain, is always very enjoyable and important. The weekend wasn’t easy, but we were able to fight back well, especially on the last two laps. It was a pretty tough end to the race, but I was able to dig deep. As for what I would change, I think I’d prefer not to change any outcome, since you always learn from any situation and any decision, whether right or wrong.

– With 126 points, you’re third on the standings, with the team in second place. After a positive start of the season, what are your goals for the rest of the season?

We maintain the same objective for the remainder of the season, which is to achieve our first victory, in addition to our usual goals: Trying to be at the front in every race, as well as showing consistency, improvement in our work, and progress in our project with the team. You always have to push yourself to keep working hard, improve in every possible area, and minimise any weaknesses to get better every day.

With more experience, maturity and consistency than last year, Alvaro will try these things could work in his favour in the second half of the season, where he experienced some ups and downs last year. With victory firmly in his sights and the aim of leading the team back to the top alongside Brian Uriarte, the Spaniard is already prepared to face the final eleven Grand Prix of 2026. After the summer break, the Spaniard will return to action at Silverstone, where last year he achieved a remarkable one-two finish alongside Jose Antonio Rueda in Qualifying. This year’s British Grand Prix will take place from August 7th to 9th.