The first test of the Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 team ended this Thursday at the Jerez circuit, with positive data gathered for the rest of the 2017 pre-season and a very honest time achieved by Miguel Oliveira, one second behind the best time.
After this first positive comparison, the Austrian firm's tests will continue next week on the Valencia circuit.
Aki Ajo, team manager: “We are very excited to start this project in Moto2 with the new KTM. It is clear that we are only at the beginning and it is important to carry out a lot of testing. After these first two days we already have information, in this case on a circuit which is not easy. I think we started very well and it is also very important to get a lot of data on a track as different as Valencia is. Binder and Oliveira did a very good job. For Brad it was the first test in Moto2, so it's a big challenge. Miguel showed his great professionalism and did a very consistent job. I thank them both and the team for this good start.”
Miguel Oliveira, 10e at 0.985: “Today we once again had many hours on track. It was the first time KTM was able to try the soft tires on this track, so it was a challenge since we had no previous references; This is what prevented us from being able to go a little faster with new tires. In any case, the day was very positive because we identified where we could improve the bike. This KTM Moto2 has a lot of potential! We are happy with these first two days of testing.”
Brad Binder, (no transponder): “These two days of testing in Jerez were very enjoyable and I really enjoyed driving there. I tried to fully understand how to ride this Moto2 and had a great time. I've started to notice improvements and find the path forward, but I know it will take a lot of rounds to understand it 100%. It was strange, because after a few consecutive laps I had a good time, but after the pit stop I couldn't figure out how I got it. I just have to keep working hard and little by little everything will get better.”
