Present full-time as team manager in the paddock since 2002, the Finnish Aki Ajo has already supported 5 riders to the world title (Mike Di Meglio in 125 in 2008, Marc Marquez in 125 in 2010, Sandro Cortese in Moto3 in 2012, Johann Zarco in Moto2 in 2015, Brad Binder in Moto3 and Johann Zarco in Moto2 in 2016).
With a scope that also extends to the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup and the FIM CEV European Talent Cup and Moto3 championships, the man has gradually become a key part of the orange pipeline that KTM has built over the five recent years to allow young hopefuls to climb all the ranks of speed competition.
Only the MotoGP level is not under his influence within the Austrian firm, and this mixture of plurality and longevity allows him to approach with serenity the major change which will mark the Moto2 category this season, with the arrival of a Triumph engine which has already been officially “handed over” to MotoGP during the Aragon Grand Prix.
The one whose only failure is perhaps the career of his son Niklas confided in Adam Wheeler for the KTM blog.
Aki Ajo : “I think we've been using the same engine in Moto2 for nine years and I think the change will make people more enthusiastic. And as with anything new, you have the chance to learn more than if you always use the same specs. We have already been very busy this summer. The KTM test team has been working with the engine for a few days and our riders will also be busy with this year's bike and next year's bike. A motorcycle is a motorcycle and I think many people today are wondering which riders will adapt well to this new engine concept. I think if a rider is good, works well and has a good team, it doesn't matter what bike it is. I don't think the engine is a big problem, it just makes the job more interesting. When we moved from the 125 to Moto3, everyone told me: “Everything is going to change…” but for me, not much has changed. The only thing that was lost was the noise and pleasant smell of the 2-strokes, but many other interesting things came with the new category and the 4-strokes. Maybe the drivers needed to change their style a little, but the basics remained the same: racing is racing, you have to find the right 'things' and focus on them.
Over the past few seasons, Moto2 has become one of the toughest competitions in MotoGP. The stock engine and the sometimes minute differences between the five main chassis manufacturers mean that the gap between the best drivers is reduced to a few tiny fractions of a second. The technical gains are very small. A situation which could be called into question with the arrival of new chassis to accommodate the Triumph engine.
“It will be interesting to see if it’s still that close.” I think there is a chance to take a few more steps. Sometimes I feel like Moto2 is even too close. Drivers and teams learn a lot in close competition but I also see good drivers a little in the shadows if everything is not perfect. You can be 0,8 seconds behind the best and drop to 20th, but you can still be a very fast driver. It will be interesting to watch… but I don’t think it will be as close, early in 2019; there could be bigger gaps between the teams”.
Next year, Aki Ajo will line up Brad Binder et George Martin within the Red Bull KTM Ajo structure, while Miguel Oliveira, who is currently fighting for the Moto2 title, will move to Red Bull KTM Tech3.
“I think with a new bike it is essential that not all riders are beginners… but in any case it is also important that Brad already has experience and feedback with the engine. In November, the first tests will be essential for the whole team.”
The first official tests of the Triumph-powered Moto2s will take place from November 23 to 25 in Jerez, southern Spain.
