Deniz Öncü takes 6th in #AmericasGP, Jose Antonio Rueda 10th

The Moto3 race at the Grand Prix of the Americas took place this Sunday, and the Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 riders put in an outstanding performance. Deniz Öncü moved up from the fifth row of the grid to finish in sixth place, whilst Jose Antonio Rueda continued to take steps forward and earned tenth position.

Deniz Öncü started from the fifth row of the grid after crashing in Q2 while on his hot lap. The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 rider gained several positions off the line and maintained a good pace whilst trying to stay in the group. The Circuit of the Americas witnessed an intense race in which Öncü gave his best to stay consistent. He broke into the Top 10 just past the midway mark, and he would rise to sixth before the chequered flag. After this race, Öncü occupies thirteenth place in the overall standings with 16 points.

Jose Antonio Rueda was contesting his first race at COTA. The Moto3 rookie started from the fourth row of the grid and maintained his position in the early stages. Rueda felt more and more comfortable, increasing his pace and moving into the Top 10 with eight laps to go. The Red Bull KTM Ajo rider lost ground in an intense fight in his group, but recovered to clinch tenth on the final lap. He is now eighth in the standings with 19 points and is the best rookie in the class.

The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 duo will return to Europe for the next round of the season: The Spanish Grand Prix, from April 27-30th at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto.

DENIZ ÖNCÜ

We started 14th, and I made some mistakes at the start so I lost some positions. I tried to be as fast as possible to get to front but I didn’t manage to pass a lot of riders. I was stuck in the group and I couldn’t reach the front pack. I tried to have a good pace and in the end I gained some places. We took some points today, but this result isn’t what we had hoped for. We will come back stronger at Jerez for the next race.

JOSE ANTONIO RUEDA

It’s my first race in Austin and we’ve finished in the Top 10. On the opening laps I struggled a bit more and I lost some places. We were in the second group and we finished in a good position. We are improving the bike every weekend and I feel more comfortable all the time, so I’m happy with how the weekend went. The next race is at home, in Jerez, so it will be special for me. We have to keep on the same path and do the best we can.