With several World Champion titles to his credit, including the recent ones of Johann Zarco, Aki Ajo is one of the great figures in the Moto2 and Moto3 categories. It is to him that KTM entrusts the task of defending its interests in these two classes, with success since the Finnish team manager has a total of 150 podiums, most of which obtained with Austrian motorcycles.
Since its appearance in Grand Prix in 2001 with Mika Kallio, Ajo Motorsport has won 65 races and 6 World Champion titles, including two last year with Brad Binder in Moto3 and Johann Zarco in Moto2. The Finn spoke to Neil Morrison about crash.net.
Ajo Motorsport has extended its collaboration with KTM for two years. “ It's really important for us because Moto2 is, let's say, our main project at the moment. We started this idea together several years ago when Mr. Stefan Pierer, CEO of KTM, said to us “Why not do Moto2?” »I started with Johann Zarco.
“The next two years will be really important. That's why it was very good to sign now for the next two years, because hectic seasons are ahead. Triumph arrives in the category. We have to develop the bike for next year, but at the same time we have to develop the bike with the Triumph engine. So it's very nice that we have the drivers designated for next year and the contract expires in two years. We can focus only on the work, not the negotiations. So I'm really happy with that and really motivated of course. »
KTM's debut in Moto2 has been impressive. “ The new project, I must say that no one expected it. We must always keep both feet on the ground. Of course, difficult times will come too, but we are really happy to be here and that motivates us. It's a beautiful project. »
Johann Zarco tested the new KTM Moto2 in Aragon the day after the Grand Prix last year. How important was it to have the reigning World Champion available? “ Johann was very flexible about these things. We worked very closely together. He knew he wouldn't ride this bike in a race, but I think we respect and support each other so much that if we can help each other, we do. »
The Triumph engine arrives in 2019. “The bike will be totally different. Of course, the Triumph engine is bigger because it has more than 700 cc. I think physically he is also smaller. It's not as wide as the Honda four-cylinder. So I think maybe with this engine it will be possible to build a smaller motorcycle. But everything basically starts from scratch when you have a new engine, so it's a big project anyway. »
In Moto3, “ It has been much more difficult than in many years. I've been running for a long time and this happens sometimes. You can't win every year and right now it's a tough year. In Moto3, we have more difficulties. Now it seems like everything is a little better, especially with Bo Bendsneyder. Unfortunately, Niccolo Antonelli still has that injury with his back and he is not in the best condition. Bo, as we see, is improving all the time. As I said before about Brad Binder, sometimes we need tough times to be even stronger in the future and learn something more. If you win all the time, you also lose something. Difficult times make you stronger. »
You enjoy choosing drivers who represent a real challenge. Even after a complicated year for your Moto3 team like this, will you continue with this approach? “ Yes. Sometimes it works. Sometimes this is not the case. Sometimes it takes longer. I have to say that when we took Brad on, he wasn't quite a ready driver. He had strong points but also ups and downs. The first year Brad was with us, in 2015, it was really difficult. Until August – more than halfway through the season – it was really difficult. Then something clicked. He obtained three podiums. He generally strengthened over the winter and had an incredible start to 2016. Like I said, never give up. never give up.
And I guess it was the same when Johann Zarco first came to your team. “ Of course. When he came to me in 125cc in 3, he hadn't done anything before. Not all at once, but during the season we found very good speed with him too. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. It's the race. That’s what makes it all so interesting. »
Photos © Ajo Motorsport
Source: crash.net
