Pedro Acosta finishes eighth in Lusail, with teammate Albert Arenas 21st.

The Qatar Grand Prix concluded this Sunday with a demanding race for the Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 riders. Pedro Acosta recovered positions after a difficult start and finished in eighth place, while Albert Arenas was only able to come home 21st. The positive news was the confirmation of a third Team World Championship in as many years.

Acosta faced the Moto2 race still suffering from some discomfort. The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 rider, who started from the third row of the grid, lost some places off the line, but returned to the Top 10 after the initial laps. After the first few laps, Acosta moved back up to the top 10 in the standings and maintained a steady pace, which allowed him to to take another step forward of consequence on the closing laps. The newly crowned World Champion of the intermediate class tried to reach the Top 5, although he finally crossed the finish line in eighth position.  

Arenas also faced a difficult Sunday at the Lusail International Circuit. The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 rider did not enjoy the best feeling onboard his KTM from the start of a race in which tyre management was also an important aspect throughout the 18 laps. Arenas tried until the end in a difficult race and worked hard to recover positions and fight for the points. However, the intermediate category rider could only finish twenty-first.

The new Team Champions will sign off the 2023 season at the Circuit Ricardo Torno next weekend, at the Valencian Grand Prix.  

Aki Ajo – Team Manager

“In Moto2 we had a quite challenging weekend and, of course, we cannot be really happy about the positions in the race. On the other hand, both riders had a good pace during the weekend and, unfortunately, Pedro had a fever during the weekend, so that affected his performance. Both riders finished the race; Pedro in the Top 10 and Albert, despite the final result, working really well on his speed. We’re really looking forward to finishing the season well with our two riders. We also have to be really happy about our Team championship win, for the fifth time. Thanks, of course, to all of our staff and riders, and all our great long term partners.”  

#37 PEDRO ACOSTA

“The race went well. We made a mistake at the start and that affected our race, since the front wheel became very hot. I think the fightback, which happened when the tyre temperature dropped, was good, with competitive times. Now we have to face the last GP of the season. We have motivation and a good feeling on the bike, so we’ll give it 100%.”  

#75 ALBERT ARENAS

“The race didn’t go as we expected. It has been a Grand Prix to forget and we have to turn the page. I can take away the fact that I gave 100%, but it was not to be. We will analyse everything to see what happened and improve for the next race. Now we have a few days at home to regroup and get to Valencia in as best shape as possible for the last weekend of the season, giving our all.”

The Qatar GP was an atypical race for the Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 team, as both Deniz Öncü and Jose Antonio Rueda were forced to make fightbacks after receiving double long lap penalties. The Turkish rider got onto the podium, whilst his teammate would cross the line sixteenth.

Öncü faced the penultimate race of the season with great determination after setting the third best time in qualifying. Unfortunately, he committed a jump start, for which he was penalized with a double long lap. Adapting to the new situation, he kept calm and mounted a comeback once the penalty was completed, setting a great pace to move from 25th to the Top 10 with 6 laps remaining. The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 rider continued his charge until the last lap, where he made a clever move to take third place and a spot on the podium.  

Rueda didn’t start from the most favourable position on the grid, in eighteenth. The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 rider had some outstanding early laps, in which he was able to gain positions and reach the points quickly. The Spaniard took advantage of a large group to continue climbing up the order, although due to a collision with another rider he was also penalised with a double long lap. From that moment on, Rueda was forced to change the race strategy and try to get as close as possible to the main group. On the final laps, on the verge of the points, he was unable to catch up with the front group and finally finished sixteenth.

The Red Bull KTM Ajo team will end the 2023 season this coming weekend, with the Valencian Grand Prix from November 27-29th at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo.  

Aki Ajo – Team Manager

“We had a challenging day in Moto3 as both Deniz and Jose Antonio had double long lap penalties. In any case, we had quite good feeling as both of them had a really strong weekend. They were also fast and strong in the race; Deniz got on the podium and he showed great spirit and fight in coming back from behind to get there. Jose Antonio’s pace was good and he was fast in the race. It is positive in his rookie season and practice to show his speed once again. After a long season we are really looking forward to the final race in Valencia.”  

#53 DENIZ ÖNCÜ

“I did a jump start. I realised it in the moment, so I knew that I was going to be penalised. I know I was strong and I tried to keep calm and do my best. I was able too because of the support I have here. After the double long lap, getting back to the podium is not so bad. It is acceptable despite the fact that we could have fought for the victory. Now it’s time to focus on Valencia and keep working in the same way as here for our last race in the class.”  

#99 JOSE ANTONIO RUEDA

“We got a good start, gained positions and I felt strong with the bike and knew I could be at the front. On the fifth lap I had a collision and they penalised me with a double long lap. I did them the fastest that I could, but I only had 7 laps left to make up the ground I had lost. Although I recovered a lot, the group broke away and I was left behind. Despite everything, I am happy with the bike and with how we worked this weekend. Finishing the race like this feels bittersweet, because we know that we had more in us and that we could be higher up, but that’s the way races go and we can also learn from these situations. Now it’s time to prepare everything for Valencia to do as best as possible.”  

Results (Race)

1. Jaume Masia (Honda) 33:50.694
2. David Alonso (GasGas) +0.068
3. Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) +0.163
4. Ricardo Rossi (Honda) +0.285
5. Victor Perez (KTM) +1.553
16. Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) +4.707  

Moto3 World Championship Standing 2023

1. Jaume Masia (Honda) 271 points
2. Ayumu Sasaki (Husqvarna) 243 points
3. David Alonso (GasGas) 225 points
4. Daniel Holgado (KTM) 212 points
5. Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 212 points
9. Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 111 points  

Moto3 Teams World Championship Standing 2023

1. Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intanct GP 379 points
2. Leopard Racing 344 points
3. Red Bull KTM Ajo 323 points
4. Gaviota GasGas Aspar Team 303 points
5. Angeluss MTA Team 272 points