Luis Salom in top five on day one at Phillip Island

An intense day of work started the action at Phillip Island on Friday. The Red Bull KTM Ajo riders began with very good results in the first practice sessions of the weekend. Zulfahmi Khairrudin, third, and Luis Salom, fourth, were in the top five in both sessions, whilst Australian teammate Arthur Sissis took an important step forward in the second run for fourteenth.

Salom and Zulfahmi Khairuddin were amongst the fastest riders in adapting to the new asphalt on the Australian track and the typical gusts of wind. The Spanish Red Bull KTM Ajo rider took the best time –1:38.332– in the first free practice, temporarily setting a new circuit record.

All three Red Bull KTM Ajo riders improved their times in the second practice session, where the differences between riders was tighter than ever. Luis Salom –1:38.235– pushed right through to the last lap to set his best time and place back in the top 5.

The starting grid for the Australian GP will be decided on Saturday in qualifying.

Luis Salom
“The truth is that this first day of the Grand Prix of Australia has been difficult. We didn’t go badly in either session, but the results have not been as good as we had expected. We are still missing something to find the perfect feeling with the bike, so we’re working to improve on that and go faster tomorrow.”

Source: Red Bull KTM Ajo Motorsport