The 2018 trend for the Finnish team manager, World Champion with Johann Zarco in Moto2 in 2015 and 2016, is to reduce the size in Moto3, with now only one rider, while arriving in the CEV Junior Moto3 World Championship.
The Red Bull KTM Ajo team will extend its activities in Moto2 with the two official riders of the Austrian brand Miguel Oliveira et Brad Binder. It is the latter's brother, Darryn Binder, who will be the team's sole representative in GP Moto3, after this year's men Niccolo Antonelli and Bo Bendsneyder left for Tech 3 for the Dutchman, and within the Team SIC58 by Paolo Simoncelli for the Italian.
In CEV, Ajo will face the heavyweights of the category, the Junior Team VR46 Riders Academy, 2017 Champion with Dennis Foggia and KTM, and the Junior Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 with Honda. The two riders who will be part of this program supported by the Road to MotoGP initiative will be Turkish twin brothers Can and Deniz Öncü. Born in Alanya in 2003, both have achieved several successes in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup this season. Can and Deniz finished third and fourth respectively in the general classification. The latter also distinguished themselves in the Asia Talent Cup, a series which was won by Deniz. Can ranked third in the 2017 Championship. Furthermore, the Turkish twins will continue to compete in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup in 2018.
Aki Ajo – team manager:
“First of all, I would like to say that it is an honor to continue our partnership with Red Bull and KTM. In this Moto3 World Championship, where we have accomplished great things since 2012, we are pleased to welcome Darryn Binder. Truth be told, he's been a part of the family for a long time as Brad's brother. He is a driver who has already proven himself in the World Championship and we are convinced that he will be able to take another step forward to fight more regularly at the front. Adding a Junior structure to those already existing in Moto3 and Moto2 is a challenge. Aged 14, Can and Deniz also showed what they were capable of in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup in particular. We have great confidence in them and I hope that they will continue to learn with us, which is the main objective. With work, I am sure the results will follow. I would like to thank Red Bull, KTM and all our partners once again, for allowing us to participate in this project. »
Darryn Binder:
“I'm really excited to join Red Bull KTM Ajo, a team that has won several titles. I am sure that we will be able to achieve excellent results together. Being in a team like this, the objective will of course be to fight for the title of World Champion. Seeing what my brother Brad was able to accomplish and still is accomplishing, I tell myself it's possible. This is exactly why I chose to join this structure. I think we have the same goals. Finally, I would like to thank everyone who made this possible. »
Deniz Öncü:
“I think it’s a great opportunity for us for next season. I'm very happy and I'm really looking forward to it. I think this is a new step forward in our sporting career and we are sure that we will be able to learn lots of things in this team. This year promises to be excellent. In 2017, we had the opportunity to ride a KTM in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup. Even if the bike won't be the same next season, it will help us adapt more quickly. In the FIM CEV Junior World Championship, you must constantly give the best of yourself. I think we can do well with the team. It's also positive to be able to fight for one more year in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup at the front. »
Can Öncü:
“I’m really happy to be part of the Red Bull KTM Ajo team in the FIM CEV Junior World Championship next season. This is my dream team and that dream is now coming true. We have already had the opportunity to chat with members of the team. I think it will be an important year to learn how the bike works, telemetry… We come from the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, where we will also continue to evolve. I hope that everything I have learned so far will be useful to me next season. It’s a very interesting Championship, I’m really looking forward to it. I hope to do my best »
Photo © Red Bull KTM Ajo
