Under the floodlights of the Losail International Circuit, Brad Binder and Bo Bendsneyder took a further step forward with the setup of their KTM bikes on Saturday night. Binder –sixth with a best time of 2:06.366 from 44 laps–, again proved to be amongst the fastest riders in the Moto3 class, whilst teammate Bendsneyder –who clocked a top time of 2:06.921 from 43 laps– claimed fourteenth on only his second night at the Qatari track. As on Friday, Brad Binder was the first rider to head the timesheets. The South African set the best lap of 2:08.023 in the first session, despite putting in just 7 laps. Bendsneyder placed tenth in the session. It was in the second hour of action that the Red Bull KTM Ajo riders were able to improve their times from Day 1. Binder clocked a 2:06.739 as he went into the 2:06s for the first time, giving him fourth, and his rookie teammate earned eighth with his 2:07.183 lap. Both times were bettered before the night was out: A 2:06.366 from Binder gave him sixth in the final session, with a 2:06.921 placing Bendsneyder twelfth. The pair will be back out on track this Sunday for their final night of preseason preparations for 2016, onboard their KTM machines.
Results – Combined Standings Day 2
1. Livio Loi (Honda) 2:05.824
2. Fabio Quartararo (KTM) 2.06.193 +0.369
3. Nicolo Bulega (KTM) 2:06.254 +0.430
4. Romano Fenati (KTM) 2:06.256 +0.432
5. Joan Mir (KTM) 2:06.256 +0.432
6. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 2:06.366 +0.542
14. Bo Bendsneyder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 2:06.921 +1.097
Brad Binder,
“This second day finished better than yesterday. This is undoubtedly the most important thing in preseason testing. These days are useful for working with the bike and getting as prepared as possible at the beginning of the year, and we have undoubtedly taken a step forward. I felt very comfortable on used tyres, so I’m very happy, but we have to improve with fresh rubber. I know I have to improve at some points on the track, and if I manage to fix that then it will help us a lot tomorrow.”
Bo Bendsneyder,
“Today wasn’t bad. We improved our best time in each of the sessions and in the end we managed to string together many fast laps. I’m happy but I have to do even better. We’ll see if we can take advantage of the last day of preseason for the year, and get as prepared as possible to face the first GP.”
source: ajo.fi
