The Red Bull KTM Ajo team returns, once again, with excellent results despite a weekend that was not always easy. Its two drivers have, moreover, each achieved the same type of results for the fifth time.
The Grands Prix follow one another and are similar for Miguel Oliveira. While he had good free practice, everything got complicated once again during qualifying where he could not do better than seventeenth, his worst result of the year: “We had some problems with the bike in qualifying, so now we will focus on improving our performance in practice, which will help us not to start too far down the grid and not take too many risks at the start of the race. Although we have worked well so far, the season is long and we need to be consistent, so the team is working to find a solution. »
However, as usual, the Portuguese made an incredible start and managed to move up to sixth at the end of the straight! He continued to pass his competitors, and within four laps he found himself second and chasing Álex Márquez whom he ended up passing three laps later.
With an unbeatable Fabio Quartararo this Sunday, Miguel Oliveira finally finished second and therefore has five podiums this season (including his victory). An excellent result considering his failed qualification: “The race was really positive. Here it was important not to lose too many points and, in the end, we gained twenty more for the Championship. I'm very happy because we got a good result after a really complicated weekend. In the end it's a good second place which is very important for the Championship. »
However, things could have ended badly, since in his lap of honor, he was violently hit by Simone Corsi who was not looking in front of him: “When I crossed the finish line, in the lap of honor, I was greeting the fans and therefore did not have my hands on the handlebars. Suddenly I felt someone hit me from behind. Fortunately, no one got hurt. »
For its part, Brad Binder also had a usual weekend. More comfortable than his teammate during practice, he then qualified fifth.
After a very good start, he fought in the leading group and we saw him quite incisive. Unfortunately, he quickly encountered problems with his bike, which prevented him from being at the front. Finally, he finished in sixth position once again, for the fifth time this season!
The South African is once again disappointed, but continues to remain motivated: “My weekend went very well until the last laps of the race. I worked hard and the team did an incredible job. This is what I will remember from this Grand Prix. Unfortunately, the bike was sliding forward during the race, and it got worse with each lap. In the last three laps I could barely control the bike, I felt myself going at every fast corner and had to avoid crashing several times. I gave it my all from start to finish, and we had to settle for sixth place. This is the best result we could achieve. We just have to stay focused on Assen and try to give our best there. »
