Extended Aragon test for the Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 team.
The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 team extended its stay in Aragon following the weekend’s grand prix and Monday’s Moto2 and Moto3 test at the Spanish venue, with riders Miguel Oliveira and Brad Binder experiencing the team’s 2019 Triumph-powered Moto2 contender on Tuesday.
Binder, who captured an incredible victory at Aragon’s 14th round, rode the new 2019-spec Moto2 machine for the second time, although this time around it allowed the South African to progress with developments.
“Today was very positive,” said Binder. “I enjoyed myself a lot riding the KTM Moto2 bike for next year. KTM is doing an incredible job. I think that we have taken several steps forward and we’re going in the right direction – I can’t wait to continue riding it.”
For Oliveira, it was his first hit-out aboard the new motorcycle where he was able to provide feedback before he makes his transition to the premier class in 2019.
“Yesterday we were unlucky with the conditions, as it was very windy and we encountered a lot of dust on track,” Oliveira commented. That left us with only half a day of testing time, and prevented us from working on everything that we wanted.
“We weren’t able to go as fast as we would have liked due to the track conditions, but on the laps we were able to do, we focused on rear grip. Today was different. I was able to test the Moto2 bike for 2019 for the first time and give my feedback to KTM. It is a fun bike to ride, and very fast.”
KTM wasn’t the only manufacturer to roll out its 2019-sped Moto2 bike at Aragon, as Monday’s official test saw RW Racing have veteran Alex De Angelis on track on its NTS chassis with the Triumph engine in preparation for 2019, and Forward Racing Team had Lorenzo Lanzi out on its MV Agusta.