Celestino Vietti finishes in seventh position and Deniz Öncü thirteenth.

The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 riders completed the seventh round of the season at the Italian Grand Prix, with top results for Celestino Vietti and Deniz Öncü. On his 100th Grand Prix, Vietti took his joint best result of the season, as class rookie Öncü also got his best placing of the campaign.

Vietti who was tenth position on the grid, faced a special Grand Prix in front of his home fans. He held his position off the line and remained in the group. The race, which was reduced to 12 laps due to an incident in Moto3, maintained a high pace, but the Italian was up to the challenge to gain positions on the final laps, crossing the finish line in seventh position. It matched his best result to date with Red Bull KTM Ajo.

Öncü completed his best weekend to date since his move to the intermediate class. The Turkish rider, who had managed to go directly into Q2 on Saturday, continues to reach his objectives and improve with each race. Öncü had a great start, which put him in the Top 10, but later on a small contact with another rider caused him to move outside the points and he was forced to make a fightback. The rookie once again demonstrated his ability to improve and increased the pace on the final laps to reach thirteenth -his best result in Moto2.

The next event for Red Bull KTM Ajo will be in three weeks’ time, with the Dutch TT from June 28th-30th at Assen.

Aki Ajo – Team Manager

“We had again a positive weekend in Moto2, taking steps forward and with both riders going straight into Q2. That was a positive step for us and therefore we had higher expectations for the race. Celestino and Vietti both ended up in the points, in 7th and 13th, so we have many positive things to take away from this weekend to be more competitive in the next few races.”

#13 CELESTINO VIETTI

“We are improving and we are closing the gap to the riders in front, so I am happy about that. In yesterday’s qualifying sessions we could have done a better job, because that position determined how our Sunday would go. Anyway, we have definitely taken a step forward and I will continue to do so at the coming races.”

#53 DENIZ ÖNCÜ

“It was a very positive weekend here at Mugello, because we took a lot of steps forward. Now we are starting to see the results of the hard work done together with the team. We are more competitive in every session. In today’s race I was aiming for the Top 10, but after a really good start I had a collision with another rider and that cost me some positions. Then there was a crash in front of me that also slowed me down. After all that happened in the race, P13 is a good result, so we will keep working in the same way.”

Jose Antonio Rueda finishes fifteenth, while Zurutuza is unable to take part in the restart through injury.

The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 duo had an unwelcome end to the Italian Grand Prix. After having achieved his best results this weekend, Xabi Zurutuza suffered a crash that forced a stoppage in the race and he was unable to take part in the restart. Jose Antonio Rueda finished fifteenth after having to recover from a crash caused by a collision with another rider on the first corner.

Rueda started the race from the front row of the grid, but dropped down the order off the line. He swiftly regained places, just before the race was stopped. Taking the restart from fifth position, he aimed to fight for the podium at the Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello. On the first corner, contact from another rider caused him to crash, although he remounted and maintained a great pace to climb up to the points positions, crossing the finish line in fifteenth.

Zurutuza began the Italian GP race from eleventh, his best position in qualifying since his debut in the class. After four laps, his race was curtailed by a big crash, requiring evaluation at the medical centre. Initial tests ruled out serious injuries, and he was transferred to the Ospedale del Mugello facility for further examination. After carrying out various tests, Zurutuza was diagnosed with a small fracture to his scapula and right humerus, ruling out serious injuries. The young rider will return to Spain today with the team to recuperate during the weeks of the break.

Red Bull KTM Ajo will return after a three-week break for the Dutch TT, from June 28th to 30th.

Aki Ajo – Team Manager

“We had good speed and pace with both of our riders during the weekend, but unfortunately today was a day to forget for our Moto3 team as Jose Antonio Rueda and Xabi Zurutuza crashed during the race. Jose Antonio was very consistent but another rider knocked him off when he was in the front positions. Finally he recovered some places and he took one point. Xabi doesn’t have a serious injury, only a small fracture to his shoulder blade and right humerus. We hope he has a speedy recovery and we hope I see him back after these weeks off.”

#99 JOSE ANTONIO RUEDA

“In the race it was difficult for us and we lost positions, but on the third lap we were able to catch up with the front group and move into fifth. Then the red flag came out for Xabi’s crash. On the restart I started better and managed to go up the outside, but then Holgado went a little long into the first corner and knocked me off. It’s a race to forget, but I am very happy with the work done this weekend and that is what I will take away. We will come back stronger.”