The Turkish rider is contesting his second consecutive year with Red Bull KTM Ajo and, having made the jump to the intermediate class, Deniz Öncü is facing a very challenging year. The rider is currently working on returning to top form after his left hand injury. After making great progress, Öncü takes stock of his first races, his progress and his goals for the second half of the year. 

How was the first part of the season in Moto2?
“It has not been an easy start for the team, because of the changes in the suspensions, tyres and of course bringing in two new riders. Obviously, it has been difficult for me, coming into a ‘new’ team, so I needed to learn everything. Weekend after weekend I have been better understanding the bike and improving step by step. I face it as a challenge where I need to improve my performance and get closer to the front. I am really enjoying this class, this bike and the team, so I am optimistic about keeping on improving.”

What have been the hardest and easiest things to adapt to for you?
“As a team we didn’t have the necessary pace, because most of the parts of the bike were different, so we had to start from scratch. Finding the right direction was hard, because identifying the right path is always difficult. We made some mistakes, but I think we are now going the right way. The easiest thing for me was the relationship with the team. In the end, we know each other, even though we were in different classes before, it is still the same family.”

What is it like having Niklas Ajo staying on as your Crew Chief?
“Niklas is a very important person in my life now, because we have been together since 2018 and we have a very close relationship. As he was also a rider in the past, he understands my feeling with the bike and what things I need to fix . We have become like brothers, so although we are professionals where we are at the circuits, having your big brother there for you is great. He is someone I can really trust.”

What is the best advice Aki Ajo has given you this year?
“It was not actual advice as such, but I feel that he really trusts me. I have not yet got the results that the team were looking for, but we are now getting closer and closer. I have confidence about doing better, Aki supports me, and I feel that and really appreciate it.”
 

“I am really enjoying this class, this bike and the team, so I am optimistic about keeping on improving.”
 

How have you looked at previous Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 riders to improve your riding?
“Of course, I have looked at top riders because they are really good, very strong and they have won World Championships. People like Remy Gardner, Augusto Fernandez and Pedro Acosta. But the one that has the most World Championships is Aki Ajo, because of his working system and his mentality. So, for me there are very good references, but Aki has the biggest role in the team. Aki has contributed a lot to making them World Champions, so I believe he can make me a champion in the future.”

How has your recovery been and how do you feel now?
“I was really sad when I was sat at home watching the races. But this is motorsport and sometimes injuries happen. I am trying my best to recover as quickly as possible, but for sure it is not easy. My target is to return as soon as possible and, of course, be in the best shape to avoid a relapse. The operation went well and I am working hard on rehabilitation to get back on the bike soon.”

What would you like to improve in the coming races?
“When I come back, I want to start fighting to be in the Top 10 consistently. Then the Top 5 and finally podium and victories, but we need to go step by step. I want to finish this year with a podium to my name. We know we have to work hard for that, but there are still many races to go. In short, the main goal is to fight to be in the top positions.”

What are your objectives for the second part of the season?
“The main objectives are to improve my riding style and speed, as well as my pace in general. If I improve my speed, I will be faster in qualifying and therefore closer to the top spots in the race. As I said, I want to get into the Top 5 and then, once this is done, get onto the podium.”

The italian rider joined Red Bull KTM Ajo for his fourth year in Moto2. In a season full of new developments, Celestino Vietti continues to make steady progress and is confident of achieving his goals for the second half of the season.

You have come to Red Bull KTM Ajo to fight for new goals. What does it mean for you to join the team?
“I was really excited when I found out that I would be coming here, because this has been the best team in Moto2 in the last few years. For me it is an extra boost for myself and an opportunity to improve in some points in which maybe I suffered a little bit in the past. I’m able to manage some situations better and be more relaxed in the races. I have grown up, learnt a new method of working, and how to manage the weekend. I want to continue growing like we do in each race and close the gap to the frontrunners.”

2024 is a season in which a lot of technical innovations have been introduced, such as new tyres and the new WP suspension package. How has this adaptation process been for you?
“We’ve had a lot of changes. Maybe the biggest one was the new Pirelli tyres, but we also changed things with the bike. You have to adapt your riding style to different tyres, as well as the setup. We also have new suspensions, so we have more changes compared with other teams, but I think that we have improved a lot since the last test of last year to now. We make progress every weekend, closing the gap, and I’m feeling stronger. Now we just need to put it all together and sort out the final details, but in recent races I was really strong and I’m adapting well.”

Do you think the collarbone fracture at the Jerez test slowed down your progress?
“Of course, the injury stopped it a little bit. I didn’t race at Le Mans but the most important thing was that I had to stop training and riding the bike. After coming back at Barcelona and Mugello I was more prepared, so I didn’t lose too much feeling with the bike and too much riding time. Sometimes these things happen, but at no time do I think it was a major hinderance.”

Aki Ajo has a very specific working methodology, how do you think he is helping you to improve?
“Aki is a great help. It is really nice to work with him. I remember seeing him on TV and he looked like a serious person, but when you know him he is a really good man. He really wants to win and you feel that; Aki and the whole team work really hard to achieve the results that everybody wants. Sometimes he can be a bit stern, but in some situations it has to be like this. This is a strong point because he tells it to you like it is, but when he has to congratulate you on your work, he does so too. He helps me to clear my mind at important moments, such as before QP or the race. I like working with him.”

“We are fast and the pace is there, I just need to improve and be more focused and more calm, in order to put everything together.”

 

Did you expect more at this point of the season? What do you think you can improve for the coming races?
“Of course, I expected a little bit more because I want more and I know that the potential is there, so I know that we can do it. In some races, like Barcelona, Mugello or even the double header of Assen and Sachsenring, we were really fast. I especially have to manage Saturdays and qualifying better. Sometimes I lose some positions because I’m not so consistent and I maybe lose my focus, which leads me to make mistakes and be more nervous. That’s what happened at Assen, for example. Anyway, the pace is there, I just need to improve and be more focused and more calm, in order to put everything together.”

What is your assessment of the first nine races of the season?
“In general, I think it hasn’t been too bad. Is not a secret that we didn’t start off among the fastest riders. In the test we had to work to understand everything because there were many changes, with both new tyres and suspensions, so we had some extra work compared to others. In general, I’m quite happy with the feeling and the improvements, but I’m not too happy with the results because, to be honest, I don’t want to stay in those positions each weekend. In terms of the feeling, the work by everyone in the box, I am very happy, and I think that if we continue like this, we will be able to get the results we deserve.”

After the summer break, you have an intense schedule. What is your goal for the end of the year?
“We are already in the summer break but not many races have taken place yet. There are still a lot of points to be distributed so I hope to cut the gap to the front as much as possible. The main goal through to the end of the season is to get as close as possible to the Top 3 and maybe fight for something in the overall standings. We have to work very hard, and the first thing is to start having consistent weekends in Practice, QP and the race. Then we can focus on fighting for poles, podiums and, of course, victories.”

Did you have any special plans for this summer?
“I have taken some time off to be with my family, because during the season I don’t live in my hometown. After that, I have been working hard again to be in good shape for the second part of the season.”

The Spanish rider is competing in his first season in the Moto3 World Championship. After scoring points in his debut race in Austin, Zurutuza has had a mixed campaign. The Red Bull KTM Ajo rider analyses the aspects to improve in the future.

What has this opportunity meant to you and how are you approaching it?
“Competing in the World Championship is the dream for every rider and it is the goal we have chased since we were little. I am facing it in the best way possible, fighting every weekend, gaining kilometres and experience race by race -which is the most important thing. The first year is for learning and finding out what the most important factors are to be as competitive as possible in the future.”

You missed the first two races due to the minimum age limit, but on your debut you managed to get into the points. Did it help you become more motivated?
“I was quite upset to miss the first two races due to the minimum age limit, but it is something we cannot fight against. Austin was a great circuit to debut at; I really liked the place and the circuit and, to top it off, I scored points in my first Grand Prix. It helped me a lot to motivate me to achieve good results, and that is what we are currently doing.”

What is the most difficult thing for you this season and what points do you think you can improve for the second part of the campaign?
“I’m having a little trouble catching up with the rest of the riders. I didn’t compete in the Red Bull Rookies Cup, and last season I only competed in Junior GP, so the pace of racing and the number of race weekends was not the same. I don’t know many circuits and there is very little time to adapt each weekend. I adapt well to the different tracks, and that is very positive for me. Also, in the race I always do a little better. As for the aspects to improve, perhaps the pace of the World Championship has been a little harder for me, so the objective is to try to work better from Friday to prepare well for the race, to fight for better positions.”

What assessment do you make of these Grands Prix working with the team so far?
“We have been working hard and improving many aspects, although unfortunately that has not been reflected in the results. In these last 3-4 races, the feeling with the team and the bike has been very good, without having to make hardly any changes, but we have not had the best of luck. At Mugello I had a bad crash in which I was injured, although fortunately I was able to recover afterwards for Assen and Sachsenring. I have had ups and downs, with circuits at which I have done better and others worse. We have been more consistent, and we hope to do better in the coming races.”
 

“Aki is a person that tells you both the good and the bad, and that helps you to learn a lot.”
 

What is it like working with Aki Ajo and how is he helping you?
“It’s amazing to be able to work with someone with so much experience. He is a person with clear ideas, who tells you both the good and the bad. That’s important because, in the end, everyone tells you the good things, but not everyone tells you the bad things. Aki tells you everything and that helps you to learn a lot. Because of his experience, with all the riders who have been on the team and all the titles he has achieved, it helps you a lot to improve.”

You work a lot with your teammate during the weekend, especially on Saturdays. How is Rueda helping you during the Grands Prix?
“Sharing a box with a rider as fast as Rueda helps a lot for a rookie. You have a teammate from whom you can learn a lot from, since you ride the same bike. He teaches me how to go fast and I follow his lines, and at the same time I try to help him as much as I can.”

The second part of the season is going to be very intense, with many races and many new circuits. What goals do you have and what do you expect from the remainder of the season?
“The flyaways will be very intense, with consecutive races. I think it will help us, because this way we won’t lose so much feeling with the bike. It’s about learning race after race and starting with the same feeling with which you finished the previous weekend. It won’t be easy, because the conditions are very different, although I have already watched several races to familiarise myself with the circuits -which are wider in general. I look forward to getting there and trying them.”

What are your plans for these three weeks off in the summer break?
“I want to rest for a few days to disconnect and recharge, although I will also be training to prepare for the coming races.”

The Red Bull KTM Ajo rider began the season as one of the favourites in the class. An unexpected illness stopped his progress in the opening races, but he has been back fighting for the top positions. Rueda assesses the first part of 2024 and explains his objectives.

What has been the key to the step up you’ve taken during the winter and the first half of the season?
“I think that, above all, experience from last year has helped me a lot. In addition, sharing a box with Deniz Öncü was also a great help to me. Thanks to him I was able to see what the way of working in the World Championship was like and approach it in a different way. I have kept working as I always have, but knowing the path to follow is easier when it comes to dealing with working with the team and with the bike at each circuit.”

KTM have worked hard so that this year you can compete with the new bike. What are the points that you would highlight the most?
“The change of tyres to Pirelli is being very noticeable this year and it has benefited me personally. Obviously KTM have worked hard and the bike has taken a big leap up in terms of everything. I have adapted very well from the beginning and it is easier for me to ride.”

The start of the season saw your operation for appendicitis. To what extent has that affected you and how have you approached the situation to fight for the podium again in the last few races?
“The start of the year was not as we expected, because I missed some races. That made me lose my rhythm and confidence a little, but I think I dealt with it well. I have taken it as a new challenge to be able to be at the front again and show that, even though I have missed some races, I can be up there. I have missed some important races, like Jerez, which was my home Grand Prix, but the most important thing is that we have been able to fight for the podium again.”

What do you think is missing for you to get that first victory in the World Championship?
“I think we need to improve a little in different aspects: Knowing how to position ourselves better in the race, having a little more luck and fighting until the final laps. I would like to fight a little more early on and to have more of a chance to be in the Top 3 from the beginning.”
 

“Even though I have missed some races, I have shown that I can be at the front again.”
 

How has Aki Ajo helped you reach this level and maintain consistency every weekend?
“Aki’s methodology has helped me a lot since last year. This season I have applied his advice even more and every weekend I talk to him to get his opinion. His experience and the work he has done with so many riders helps a lot when facing the race weekend.”

What assessment do you make of this first half of the season?
“It’s mixed, because we have not always had good luck. In these last few races we have been able to be at the front, but on the last laps something has always happened and we have been left on the verge of the podium. It’s about continuing to work. We deserve to get more podiums and I am convinced that our moment will come. We have to know how to take advantage of it.”

What is the goal between now and the end of the season?
“From the beginning of the season, the goal has been to win the title. I still think that. Mathematically we know that it is difficult, but the start of the season had setbacks, unfortunately. There are still many races left, and many things can happen. I remain confident and believe that we can still fight for at least the Top 3.”

What aspects do you want to improve for the coming races?
“You always try to do better, but I would like to improve the way I approach the weekend: From Friday until the race arrives.”

Finally, what plans do you have for the break?
“I hope to get my driving licence and I want to get away for a few days to the beach to rest with my family, although we will not stop training to reach the second part of the season in the best shape possible.”

The Italian finishes the German GP in fifth position, with Marcel Schrötter seventeenth.

Red Bull KTM Ajo concluded the last round before the summer break on Sunday. Sachsenring witnessed a great race by Celestino Vietti, who fought for the podium until the last corner, finishing in fifth position. Marcel Schrötter completed his home Grand Prix with a good feeling and a 17th place.

Vietti started the race from pole position, having earned the spot after going through Q1 on Saturday. He got off the line well and pushed hard on the opening laps, returning to the lead and then breaking away. However, after the midway point he was overtaken, although he remained in the podium positions. Vietti was still in with a chance of the rostrum until the final corner, but missed out and placed fifth. Nevertheless, it was his best result of the season and his best ever at the German track.

Schrötter was riding at his home Grand Prix. The Red Bull KTM Ajo stand-in rider had gone from strength to strength throughout the weekend, and on Sunday had a solid performance and a good feeling. He tried to manage his tyres optimally to reach the points over the course of the 25 laps, but a collision with another rider caused him to drop down the order when fighting to score points. He crossed the finish line in 17th place.

The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 team now begin the summer break, and will return to competition in three weeks with the British Grand Prix.

Results Race
1. Fermin Aldeguer (Boscoscuro) 35:07.384
2. Jake Dixon (Kalex) +2.159
3. Ai Ogura (Boscoscuro) +4.418
4. Diogo Moreira (Kalex) +4.533
5. Celestino Vietti (Red Bull KTM Ajo) +4.543
17. Marcel Schrötter (Red Bull KTM Ajo) +14.483

Moto2 World Championship Standing 2024
1. Sergio Garcia (Boscoscuro) 147 points
2. Ai Ogura (Boscoscuro) 140 points
3. Joe Roberts (Kalex) 123 points
4. Fermin Aldeguer (Boscoscuro) 108 points
5. Alonso Lopez (Boscoscuro) 93 points
9. Celestino Vietti (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 55 points
23. Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 6 points
30. Marcel Schrötter (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 0 points

Moto2 Teams World Championship Standing 2024
1. MT Helmets MSI – 287 points
2. MB Conveyors SpeedUp – 201 points
3. Onlyfans American Racing Team – 167 points
4. QJMotor Gresini Moto2 – 125 points
5. CFMOTO Polarcube Aspar Team – 74 points
7.  Red Bull KTM Ajo – 61 points

Aki Ajo – Team Manager
“We are very happy about how Celestino managed today’s race. In the last few races we have understood more and more the new package and he made great progress in each session. Even though we didn’t get the podium, he was very fast today and he improved lap by lap. We are confident and we are sure that we can fight for better results in the future. Marcel has once again shown the talent that he has and that he already demonstrated in Moto2 in the last few years. He had a solid weekend and even closed the gap to other riders, fighting for points. We would like to thank him for his work with us during these weeks together, and wish him the best of luck for the future”.

#13 CELESTINO VIETTI

“I am really happy with the weekend at this difficult track. We have done a good job and have improved a lot. We have closed the gap to those in front and we achieved pole, so it has been a great GP. During the race I tried everything -maybe too much in the beginning, because I lost some tyre grip at the end, but I tried to fight. We go into the break with a very positive feeling, so we’re looking forward to keeping this going for the rest of the season.”

#32 MARCEL SCHRÖTTER
“First of all, thank you to everyone who has supported me: To Aki Ajo and everyone inside the team. It’s a pleasure to work with them. The goal today was to get into the points and it was not posible, so I am a bit disappointed, especially at my home GP. I tried to save the tyres to be stronger at the end, but that plan didn’t work out. Unfortunately, I also got clipped by another rider and I lost positions, but that’s racing. Again, thank you so much.”

Jose Antonio Rueda retires when fighting for victory, while Xabi Zurutuza places sixteenth.

The German Grand Prix did not end as hoped for the Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 duo. Jose Antonio Rueda battled for the win in a outstanding performance but a crash with two laps remaining ended his chances of returning to the podium. Xabi Zurutuza climbed up the order to place just outside the points after being sixteenth.

Rueda started the Moto3 race from the second row of the grid. The Red Bull KTM Ajo rider maintained a spot in the front group and, after four laps, moved into third position. Amidst constant changes of positions and an intense fight for the Top 3, he dropped down to sixth and then rose to second, keeping the race leader in his sights and fighting for his first victory in the category. With only two laps remaining, a mechanical issue denied him the chance of his first win in the class.

Zurutuza faced a difficult race at the Sachsenring. The Moto3 rookie, who started from seventeenth place, lost some positions off the line, although he was able to recover and in the first laps he made up positions. Zurutuza tried to recover as many positions as possible before the long lap penalty received on Saturday. After completing them, Zurutuza tried to recover once again and once more made up positions, keeping a solid pace race. In the end, the young Red Bull KTM Ajo rider was just outside the points, finishing sixteenth.

Red Bull KTM Ajo will return to action in three weeks, for the BritishGP at Silverstone.

Results Race
1. David Alonso (CFMOTO) 33:02.956
2. Taiyo Furusato (Honda) +0.187
3. Ivan Ortola (KTM) +0.339
4. Adrian Fernandez (Honda) +2.362
5. Angel Piqueras (Honda) +2.438
16. Xabi Zurutuza (Red Bull KTM Ajo) +38.789
DNF. Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo)

Moto3 World Championship Standing 2024
1. David Alonso (CFMOTO) 179 points
2. Ivan Ortola (KTM) 121 points
3. Daniel Holgado (GasGas) 120 points
4. Collin Veijer (Husqvarna) 115 points
5. David Muñoz (KTM) 84 points
9. Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 58 points
22. Xabi Zurutuza (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 3 points

Moto3 Teams World Championship Standing 2024
1. CFMoto Gaviota Aspar Team – 217 points
2. MT Helmets MSI – 193 points
3. Red Bull GasGas Tech3 –164 points
4. Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP – 153 points
5. BOE Motorsports – 139 points
7. Red Bull KTM Ajo – 64 points

Aki Ajo – Team Manager

“Rueda has improved more and more with his riding style in practice and in the race. He was one of the best riders this weekend and also in the previous races. Unfortunately he crashed on the last few laps due to a technical issue, but we are glad to see that he is ok. We can be confident and we know that we can fight for the podium -and even the victory- in the next few races. Xabi faced a new track and Sachsenring is a special one. His race was solid despite the two long laps, as many other riders received the same penalty. He was able to reduce the gap and he was close to the points, so we will keep this progress up for the races after the summer break.”

#99 JOSE ANTONIO RUEDA

“In today’s race we made a very good start and we managed to be at the front from the beginning, fighting for the Top 3. I am very happy overall, since I think I could have won or at least been on the podium. With two laps to go I had technical problems with the bike and I couldn’t finish the race. I feel good, but we leave here with a bittersweet taste because it was very bad luck. That’s racing.”

#85 XABI ZURUTUZA

“It has been a Grand Prix full of ups and downs, where we have learned from the mistakes made and for which I have been penalised. These mistakes hurt me in the race, so I have to learn from them to be able to achieve better results. In the race we tried to push as hard as possible in a group of 5/6 riders. We have tried to find our rhythm. It is not the position we would have liked, but we have to keep learning and little by little we will improve.”

The Italian will head the starting grid at Sachsenring, with Marcel Schrötter 22nd.

Saturday in Germany was very positive for the Red Bull KTM Ajo team. Although both riders had to go through Q1, Celestino Vietti and Marcel Schrötter took a big step forward and showed great improvement. Vietti pulled out all the stops to take his first pole position of the season.

Amidst noticeably better conditions than the previous day in Practice 2,  Vietti needed few laps to improve on his previous times. Continuing to modify his setup in each session, he challenged for a direct spot in Q2. When his best lap was cancelled out due to yellow flags, his 1:23.377 placed him in 18th position -19th overall. Schrötter also upped his pace and closed the gap to the riders around him. He put in a total of 14 laps; his 1:23.377 on the eleventh attempt, keeping him 21st. He was 22nd on the combined timesheets, meaning he joined his teammate in Q1.

Vietti made a steady push in Q1, climbing positions lap after lap. In the closing minutes, the Italian set the best time of 1:23.111, taking him through to Q2. Schrötter was only able to finish eighth, with a time of 1:23.506, leaving him 22nd on the grid for his home race. Vietti saved one of his best performances of the season for Q2, grabbing the top spot in the final moments and moving closer to the circuit record. His 1:22.778 provided him with his first pole position of 2024.

The 25-lap Moto2 race takes place at 12:15 pm CEST on Sunday.

Results Qualifying
1. Celestino Vietti (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:22.778
2. Jake Dixon (Kalex) 1:22.825 +0.047
3. Fermin Aldeguer (Boscoscuro) 1:22.905 +0.127
4. Senna Agius (Kalex) 1:22.941 +0.163
5. Manuel Gonzalez (Kalex) 1:22.992 +0.214
22. Marcel Schrötter (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:23.506 +0.395 *Q1 Time

 

#13 CELESTINO VIETTI

“I am really really happy with this result, especially at a track where I didn’t expect to do it. We have worked well with the team. We didn’t start too badly, being realistic at a circuit where I always struggle. I had to go through Q1 because in the morning I set my hot lap with an unexpected yellow flag, so it was cancelled out. We had the speed and this afternoon I was confident and got a good tow to help get me into Q2. I gave my all to make this pole possible. I am really happy and we will fight tomorrow to get amongst the top positions.”

#32 MARCEL SCHRÖTTER

“I am a bit disappointed. Of course, I expected more, because we were getting closer and closer to the guys at the front. I took another step forward and hoped to get into Q2, and I was close. I wanted to get a better position for the team, for myself and for the fans at my home GP. In any case, we will take the positives away: We are getting closer and working well. We are looking forward to the race tomorrow and want to keep improving.”

The Spanish rider will start the race from fifth position, with Xabi Zurutuza seventeenth.

The German Grand Prix qualifying sessions saw Jose Antonio Rueda fight for the top positions on the grid and set the fifth best time of the day, whilst Xabi Zurutuza will take off from 19th the verge of moving into Q2, and tomorrow he will start 17th.

Practice 2 was the last opportunity to secure a direct spot into Q2. With much better conditions than on Friday, Rueda improved his times quickly and continued working ahead of Sunday’s race. He ran a good strategy and remained among the frontrunners in a tight session. Rueda completed a total of 16 laps, achieving his best time on his third lap with a 1:25.372, which placed him in sixth. He was eighth overall. Zurutuza also had a big improvement in his feeling, and lowered his best  time by more than two seconds. He fought until the end for a place in the Top 14, although he finally completed the session in eighteenth place, with a time of 1:23.377. He was nineteenth on the combined timesheets.

In Q1, Zurutuza made an early challenge for access to Q2. The Red Bull KTM Ajo rider was, unfortunately, unable to set a time better than his 1:26.757, and fifth position meant he missed out on the opportunity to move into Q2 by just 0.086s and achieving the 19th fastest time. However, the penalties applied today will mean that Zurutuza will start the race from seventeenth position. Rueda was very competitive from the beginning and fought until the last minutes for the front row. When he was on course for pole position, another rider collided with him, preventing him from competing for the top spot. His 1:25.388 put him in fifth position and the second row of the grid.

The 23-laps Moto3 German Grand Prix race will take place this Sunday from 11am local time.

Results Qualifying
1. Collin Veijer (Husqvarna) 1:24.885
2. David Alonso (CFMOTO) 1:25.221 +0.336
3. Luca Lunetta (Honda) 1:25.222 +0.337
4. Adrian Fernandez (Honda) 1:25.386 +0.501
5. Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:25.388 +0.503
19. Xabi Zurutuza (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:26.757 +0.432 *Q1 Time

#99 JOSE ANTONIO RUEDA

“In Practice 2 we improved in all aspects to prepare well for the race. In Q2 I pushed from the start and with a new tyre I had a collision with another rider that affected me. In the end we are on the second row, which is not bad, but without the incident we could have got the front row. I’m very happy with the feeling on the bike and ready for tomorrow’s race.”

#85 XABI ZURUTUZA

“It has been a difficult day. We have taken a step forward in our riding and speed, but we incurred the double long lap penalty for tomorrow’s race which complicates things for us. We will see where we end up tomorrow after all the penalties, but of course we will do our best to recover positions quickly and get the best possible place.”

Celestino Vietti finishes in 11th position, with Marcel Schrötter 21st.

Red Bull KTM Ajo began the ninth round of the Moto2 season on Friday at Sachsenring. Celestino Vietti and Marcel Schrötter faced a difficult day, but the former clocked the eleventh best time of the day. The home rider -replacing Deniz Öncü once again- was 21st.

The morning Practice took place under temperatures that were fairly low, and the presence of high winds created problems on track. Vietti and Schrötter started their search of a good setup for their bikes, making steady progress. Vietti climbed positions lap after lap and, after a pit stop, fought for the Top 10 on the timesheets. Putting in 23 laps, the Red Bull KTM Ajo rider achieved his best time on the fifteenth attempt, with a 1:24.054 that placed him 14th. Schrötter started his second Grand Prix with the team on Friday. He has extra motivation to continue improving this weekend at his home round, and felt much more comfortable than at Assen. He closed the gap to his rivals, achieving a time of 1:24.938, placing him 21st.

Friday’s Practice 1 was a new opportunity to continue fine tuning setups, and Vietti had some difficulty finding the best feeling possible. However, the Italian improved by more than half a second compared to the morning and closed the gap with the frontrunners. In the closing minutes he fought for the Top 10 and placed eleventh, just a few tenths away from the Top 3. Schrötter upped his pace and lowered his times by more than a second compared to the first session. He continued working on improving his feeling and preparing his strategy for Sunday’s race, but was not able to beat his best time from Practice in the closing minutes and his 1:23.995 put him 21st.

Moto2 qualifying takes place on Saturday from 1:45 pm local time.

Results Practice 1
1. Somkiat Chantra (Kalex) 1:22.698
2. Jake Dixon (Kalex) 1:23.049 +0.351
3. Fermin Aldeguer (Boscoscuro) 1:23.105 +0.407
4. Bo Bendsneyder (Kalex) 1:23.123 +0.425
5. Aron Canet (Kalex) 1:23.227 +0.529
11. Celestino Vietti (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:23.469 +0.771
21. Marcel Schrötter (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:23.995 +1.297

#13 CELESTINO VIETTI

“Today was a positive day overall. We improved lap by lap and we are going in the right direction. It is not an easy track for me but we are working well and we are closing the gap to those at the front. We are also only 0.3 off second place, so everything is very close. Tomorrow it won’t be easy to be in the top positions but we will fight to be in the Q2 spots.”

#32 MARCEL SCHRÖTTER

“Overall, the first day went okay. Of course, I expected to do a little bit better, but compared to Assen we did that, so I’m happy to keep improving session by session. I was fast and I could fight for P15, so that’s something positive and what we are aiming for, being realistic. It was a good session and I think I can achieve more, so hopefully tomorrow we can give it our best and fight for those Q2 spots.”

The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 duo finish eighth and 26th, respectively.

The first day of the German GP for the Red Bull KTM Ajo saw Jose Antonio Rueda and Xabi Zurutuza battle with tricky weather conditions. Rueda finished in eighth position, while Zurutuza was unable to improve his time after suffering a crash, placing 26th.

The morning Free Practice took place with delicate track conditions. The Sachsenring circuit still had some wet areas after the rain the previous day, so the Moto3 riders had to take extreme caution. Rueda made progress in a complicated session, where the wind also made riding difficult. Despite this, he had a very good feeling and, after a pit stop, the Red Bull KTM Ajo rider moved into the top positions. After 19 laps, Rueda achieved the second best time, a 1:26.118 that put him just one tenth off the top spot. Zurutuza had his first experience of the demanding German circuit this Friday, and the rookie had a positive feeling on his opening laps. He completed a total of 19, his 1:27.611 on his 17th attempt placed him 21st.

In Practice 1, conditions improved significantly compared to the morning, although the wind was still present. Rueda rode alone in search of a good pace for Sunday’s race, and to get a better feeling. He ended the day well after setting his best time alone, increasing his confidence and clocking a 1:25.695 that gave him eighth position, finishing Friday in the provisional Q2 positions. Zurutuza faced Practice 1 with a clear strategy. He tried to improve his time over a single lap, as well as his overall pace. Unfortunately, he suffered a big crash after 11 laps, but thankfully escaped unhurt.The team worked intensely to repair his bike, although in the end Zurutuza was not able to go back out on track. His 1:28.186 placed him 26th, and on Saturday he will fight for a place in Q2.

The Moto3 qualifying sessions will take place on Saturday from 12:50 pm local time.

Results Practice 1
1. Stefano Nepa (KTM) 1:25.283
2. Ivan Ortola (KTM) 1:25.314 +0.031
3. David Alonso (CFMOTO) 1:25.347 +0.064
4. Collin Veijer (Husqvarna) 1:25.379 +0.096
5. Angel Piqueras (Honda) 1:25.398 +0.115
8. Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:25.695 +0.412
26. Xabi Zurutuza (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:28.186 +2.903

#99 JOSE ANTONIO RUEDA

“Today was quite positive, and we improved lap by lap. On the first stint I had a very good feeling and on the second we focused on working for Sunday’s race. In the end we managed to set a good final lap and we finished eighth. It was very windy and that made our work difficult, but the pace we have when riding alone is good. We will continue working hard to be at the front tomorrow.”

#85 XABI ZURUTUZA

“The first day at Sachsenring is in the books I have seen that it is a very difficult circuit. The track conditions in the first practice session were not the best, but I liked it a lot. We have to continue working on our pace. We had a pretty bad crash at the beginning of Practice 1, and that prevented us from going back out later. Tomorrow we will have to do all the work that we couldn’t finish today, to fight to be higher up the order.”