Moto2 Italy: Collin Veijer makes a strategic return to Mugello

The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 Team arrives at Mugello with a wind of optimism, buoyed by the anticipated return of Collin Veijer and the rising form of Deniz Öncü, winner at Aragon two weeks ago. For the ninth round of the championship, the team hopes to continue its momentum and stay at the front, but above all, to secure the services of its Dutch rider for the long term.

Collin Veijer, who missed the previous two Grands Prix after undergoing surgery on his right arm, is about to make his comeback. Subject to a final medical checkup on Thursday morning, the Dutchman is aiming to quickly find his feet in Moto2. This return is strategic for him, as he desperately wants to regain a good feeling in the category ahead of his home weekend at Assen, which begins in just ten days.

After shining at Mugello in the Red Bull Rookies Cup and in Moto3 (winner in 2022, 2nd in 2023, 6th in his first season in the world championship), he is now aiming for a gradual rise in the Moto2 hierarchy, where he is in 19th place with 11 points.

“We have just arrived at Mugello and, of course, I am very happy to be back in the paddock, underlines the 20-year-old pilot on the fringes of the weekend. We're just waiting for the green light from the medical. After that, we'll focus on the race weekend. We want to work step by step, building my confidence and trying to be fast again. We'll see how my arm holds up and try to make good progress over the three days."

Unsurprisingly, the objective for the Dutchman will be to get back in the saddle in order to " to arrive better prepared for the Grand Prix in the Netherlands.

Alongside him, Deniz Öncü arrives full of confidence after his historic victory at Aragon, the first of his Moto2 career. The Turk, now 7th in the championship with 62 points, has fond memories of Mugello, where he already shone in Moto3 (2nd in 2023) and achieved his best performance of the first half of the season in Moto2 last year (13th). "We want to keep the same feeling as at MotorLand. Being fast, strong and competitive throughout the weekend is the key to consistency. We've shown we can deliver, so we'll try to continue at another circuit."

The Red Bull KTM Ajo team has a remarkable track record on the Tuscan circuit, with five victories in the last ten seasons (Johann Zarco in 2016, Miguel Oliveira in 2018, Remy Gardner in 2021 and Pedro Acosta in 2022 and 2023), complemented by two second places (Johann Zarco in 2015, Raul Fernandez in 2021). This tradition of success fuels the ambition of the Veijer – Öncü duo, who wish to follow in the footsteps of their illustrious predecessors.