Friday was an important and productive working day for Red Bull KTM Ajo at the Moto3 Official Test in Jerez. Despite not being able to get out on track in the first hour and the presence of a strong wind, Brad Binder –31 laps– and Bo Bendsneyder –42 laps– were able to improve their feeling with their KTM bikes and set their best lap time of the three days. The young riders finish the three intense days of testing satisfied, and feel ready for the final stage of preseason in Qatar. For the second consecutive day, a low track temperatures prevented the Red Bull KTM Ajo riders going out on track in the first session. Just like yesterday, Binder was the fastest in the second hour –1:46.618– improving his best time by a few thousandths. Bendsneyder improved his best overall time in the last session; he used the time available to the fullest: In the very last minute of the test, he set a time of 1:47.730 and placed in the Top 10 for the session. At the end of the three days, Binder was fifth overall and Bendsneyder nineteenth. After three intense days of work, Red Bull KTM Ajo now travel to Qatar, where the last preseason test takes place on March 11th-13th –one week before the first GP of 2016.
Results – Combined Standings Day 3
1. Nicolo Bulega (KTM) 1:46.539
2. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:46.618 +0.079
3. Joan Mir (KTM) 1:46.725 +0.186
4. Nicolo Antonelli (Honda) 1:46.749 +0.210
5. Jorge Navarro (Honda) 1:46.809 +0.270
13. Bo Bendsneyder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:47.730 +1.191
Results – Combined Standings Day 1-2-3
1. Romano Fenati (KTM) 1:46.445
2. Jorge Navarro (Honda) 1:46.505 +0.060
3. Nicolo Bulega (KTM) 1:46.539 +0.094
4. Nicolo Antonelli (Honda) 1:46.550 +0.105
5. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:46.618 +0.173
19. Bo Bendsneyder (Red Bull KTM Ajo 1:47.730 +1.285
Brad Binder – Rider
“Today went well. Although we weren’t able to ride in the first session due to the bad weather conditions, in the second session –with less wind– I felt really good. I rode very fast and I felt very comfortable with the bike. We made some changes from yesterday and we found many improvements. This afternoon we still had some things to work on. We had used tyres on, and when we put on the fresh rubber we saw a leap in performance that convinced us we could conclude the session. We are ready to go to Qatar. Each track has different challenges, so we still do not know what will we test in Qatar. But in this test I felt very comfortable with the bike and I’m happy.”
Bo Bendsneyder – Rider
“It was good to finish the test with my personal best lap of the three days. Besides that, it was not an easy day because it was very windy in the final session. I would have liked to have set the time yesterday, because there was no wind then and I could have gone even faster, but its part of our preparation. The truth is that I felt better today than yesterday –much better. We have been more consistent with our lap times, with better pace, and I’m satisfied because we worked hard for it. Now we have Qatar on the horizon. It will be a new circuit for me, but we will have three days to work there and keep going forward. I feel we’re ready to face the challenge.”
Aki Ajo – Team Manager
“This was three good days of testing with pretty good weather, although today the wind caused a few problems. Overall, we cannot complain. We should be happy with Brad [Binder], because he has improved his consistency on track. He has taken a step forward in recent months: He is calmer both on the track and in the garage. I like this because he has a good pace now and set some great lap times. I am sure that in the future he will be able to continue in this direction and fight for the top positions from the start. With Bo [Bendsneyder], everything went very well. It is normal for a World Championship rookie to make a lot of mistakes, but he has made only a few early on. It isn’t easy to improve your times day after day. I am pleased with his attitude and hope he continues to work the same way next week in Qatar.”
source: ajo.fi
