The Italian finishes the Americas GP in tenth position, with Deniz Öncü 22nd.

The Moto2 Grand Prix of the Americas saw a hard-fought battle between the riders in the intermediate category. The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 pair both faced a very challenging and physically demanding race. Celestino Vietti climbed up positions to cross the finish line in tenth place, while Deniz Öncü did not have the best sensations and finished twenty-second.

Vietti started the Moto2 race from the fifth row of the grid. Aware of the need to move up the order quickly, the Italian got off the line well and moved into the fight in the main group. The Red Bull KTM Ajo rider has tried to progressively overtake rivals, although the demanding race pace did not make things easy. Vietti made his moves at the right time, reaching the Top 10. After dropping back in the final laps, he recovered tenth place before the end.

Öncü faced a challenging contest in Austin. The Red Bull KTM Ajo rider did not have the best feeling in Sunday’s race and tried to make up positions to reach the points. The North American track was taxing for the Turkish rider, although he gave his all and, in the second half of the race, increased his pace. He took the chequered flag in 22nd place and, whilst the result was not what he had aimed for, he continues to gain experience in the Moto2 class.

The next event on the calendar is the Spanish Grand Prix from April 26-28th.

Aki Ajo – Team Manager

“It has not been an easy start to the season, with the new tyres and new parts, as we are still collecting data and understanding everything. Saturday in particular was a positive day for us, where Vietti was fast despite his crash in Q2. Deniz didn’t have a good feeling, but he is gaining more and more experience. Today we had some issues with a loss of grip and some chatter but, as I said, it is still only the beginning. We are collecting important information about the new package and we are confident for the coming races.”

#13 CELESTINO VIETTI

“Our grid position definitely didn’t help us to do what we had wanted. We recovered some positions, we battled hard and we tried until the end to place as high up as possible. We have to continue to work like that to improve in every session, every weekend, and continue to move forward, getting closer to the riders at the front. At Jerez we will try to continue doing a good job, because it is a track that I like. I want to thank the team for all the work they did during the weekend. We have improved a lot at a circuit where I have always struggled a lot. I am quite happy but I want more, so we will try to do that in the coming races.”

#53 DENIZ ÖNCÜ

“It wasn’t the easiest weekend for me, but we take away the positives and we will continue learning and improving our riding style and the feeling with the bike. At the next race in Jerez we will try to do better than we did here. We are optimistic and we will keep on working.”

The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 rider scores his first points after finishing in thirteenth position.

The Grand Prix of The Americas concluded this Sunday for the Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 riders, with the unexpected absence of Jose Antonio Rueda in the race meaning Xabi Zurutuza was the sole representative of the team on the grid. The rookie had an outstanding performance, climbing positions from the beginning and finishing in thirteenth position.

Zurutuza was making his debut as a full-time rider in the Moto3 World Championship. He started from the last row of the grid, in 22nd place, and got off the line well to move into the points. Numerous crashes split the group on several occasions, but the Red Bull KTM Ajo rider handled the situation very well and fought to stay in the Top 15. After constant changes in positions, Zurutuza finally gained a total of 10 places throughout the 14 laps and crossed the finish line in 13th. He thus earned his first points in the World Championship.

Rueda was unable to participate in the Grand Prix of The Americas race. After taking second in qualifying yesterday, the Spanish rider began to feel unwell, undergoing further examinations and being diagnosed with appendicitis, for which he had to undergo emergency surgery. Rueda is now recovering and hopes to return home with the team as planned.

The next event for the Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 team will be the Spanish Grand Prix, at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, from April 26-28th.

Aki Ajo – Team Manager

“It was a shame that Rueda couldn’t ride today, but it was really good that the doctor found the problem early and everything went well with the surgery. Now we need to focus on a quick recovery for him to be back soon. Xabi had a very special weekend here in Austin, as it was his first Grand Prix ever. I have to say that he rode the race very well, fighting with more experienced riders. He did a good job, taking his first points, and the next steps will be to continue working and progressing this season.”

#85 XABI ZURUTUZA

“It was a pretty hectic race, but I had a great time. This circuit is incredible, very long, with many corners, and especially on the straights there is a lot of contact with the rest of the riders because the slipstream plays a big part. It has been a bit of a tough weekend, but with hard work we have been able to get through it. We finished it in the best possible way, taking points, which was my goal at the beginning of the weekend. At the next GP we will try to qualify better, since we started from very far back. Many thanks to the team for the great work they have done.”