After a difficult start to the season, the KTM AJO team hopes that the Qatar Grand Prix will mark a turning point in its season. During a disputed race, Deniz Öncü won second place, its best result in the intermediate category. He thus unlocks the podium counter of his team in 2025.
Qualified in the top 5 after an already solid weekend, Deniz Öncü quickly joined the head group from the start of the Moto2 Qatar Grand Prix. After only two laps, he rose in the trio which held the orders, then took the reins of the race for the first time in Moto2. For more than six laps, Öncü imposed its rhythm, even digging a slight gap on its pursuers.
However, halfway, Aron Canet, author of a spectacular rise, returned to Öncü and took the lead. Despite the degradation of its tires in the last laps, the Red Bull KTM Ajo driver resisted the pressure of Manuel Gonzalez to keep the second place, crossing the finish line at 1.1 seconds from the winner.
This podium, the second in his Moto2 career, marks a real click for Öncü after a difficult start to the season. “I needed a result like this, and my team too. This is what we have fought from the start of the season, and I have to get this kind of results if I want to keep my dream living. The first three great prices of the season did not end very well, but here in Qatar, we can only withdraw a lot from the positive. »»
“I trusted and also a very competitive pace, so I’m very happy with everything we have done here throughout the weekend,
he continues. It’s a shame not to fight for victory, but my tires were completely dead. Thank you all and we will try to bring the same formula to Jerez. »»
Thanks to this performance, Deniz Öncü climbs to ninth place in the championship with 26 points, while Red Bull KTM Ajo occupies eighth row in the teams. This Qatar Grand Prix also marks the best collective weekend of the Red Bull KTM Ajo team this season, with Collin Veijer also in the points (13th). Manager Niklas Ajo therefore welcomed the progression of his pilots and the dynamics found within the team.
“We have had the best weekend of the season so far, Add the Finn. The two runners worked very well during the three days, from free practices to today’s race. Deniz had an incredible race after a difficult start to the season. After all the difficulties of this year, we have seen its true potential today and I am sure that this result gives it the renewed confidence necessary.
Collin has also had a very good race today and its best weekend of 2025 so far. He obtained points in wet conditions in Austin, but here he was also very competitive in dry conditions and took another big step in his work ” concludes Niklas Ajo.
Deniz Oncu, Moto2 © KTM AJO
