We have the Lowes brothers, we have the Espargaró brothers, and soon we will have to count on the Öncü siblings. Can, who made a sensational debut on the international scene, but who has since fallen into anonymity, will indeed be joined by his younger brother Deniz in the Grand Prix. Certainly, but it’s going to be a dilemma for KTM…
The Turkish Deniz Öncü, 15 years old, will be 16 on July 26. A few days later he will make his debut in Brno in the Moto3 world championship. His brother Can Öncü showed some progress during the last German Grand Prix. He is expected to remain with the Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2020 team in 3. He won the Red Bull Rookies Cup in 2018 and, as a rain-soaked debutant, won the Valencia Grand Prix in sensational fashion last November. But during the first half of this season, he mostly posted disappointing performances.
Red Bull and KTM are now thinking with Aki Ajo, owner of the eponymous team, to integrate little brother Deniz into the team in 2020 as a second Moto3 rider. Deniz turns 16 before the Brno Grand Prix and will then compete in four races as a wildcard this year. Brno and Spielberg are there. “ We requested wildcards for the Grand Prix of Misano and Aragon » said the team owner, Aki Ajo.
« We have learned the lessons and know that you have to concede more than one season in the Moto3 championship to the winners of the Rookies Cup " said Pete Beirer, Director of KTM Motorsport. “ You can't count on these talents after one Grand Prix season. Can Öncü is currently seeing progress. Sometimes in free practice, sometimes in qualifying. I am convinced that it will catch on. We want to continue with him. And Aki Ajo is currently deep in thought, because the brother is coming. We'll take a look at the races as a guest, where Deniz will be compared to his brother, and then decide if we can get him into the Moto3 Grand Prix for the 2020 season ».
Can Öncü won the Red Bull Rookies Cup in 2018 ahead of his brother Deniz. In the Moto3 world championship, Can rides for the Ajo team, and he finished 14th in Sachsering, a place synonymous with first points. For his part, Deniz Öncü is participating this year in the CEV Repsol Junior World Championship with the Red Bull Ajo KTM junior team. He is currently ranked 14th overall.
