Bendsneyder and Antonelli progress suitably in Jerez

03/09/2017 - Jerez Circuit, Spain

Action at the Jerez Circuit continued on Thursday with the second day of official testing this year. After a positive start yesterday, the Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 riders progressed with their workload with an eye on the first Grand Prix of the year in Qatar. On the combined timesheets, Bo Bendsneyder placed 8th and Niccolo Antonelli 17th, with both improving their lap times from day one.

Both the Dutchman and the Italian were quick to lower those times, managing to do so in the opening hour of the day. Bendsneyder completed a best lap of 1:46.806 –two tenths faster than on Wednesday– and Antonelli a 1:47.481 –3 tenths better than his previous marker. For the rest of the day, high track temperatures nearing 40ºC and strong winds prevented any further improvement. Overall, Bendsneyder and Antonelli completed a total of 60 and 57 laps, respectively.

Tomorrow sees three more sessions for the Moto3 class, who will then head to Qatar for a final official test next week at the Losail Circuit.

Results – Combined Standings Day 2
1. Nicolo Bulega (KTM) 1:46.232
2. Aron Canet (Honda) 1:46.363 +0.131
3. Jorge Martin (Honda) 1:46.415 +0.183
4. Romano Fenati (Honda) 1:46.486 +0.254
5. Gabriel Rodrigo (KTM) 1:46.639 +0.407
8. Bo Bendsneyder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:46.806 +0.574
17. Niccolo Antonelli (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:47.481 +1.249

#23 Niccolo Antonelli: "The temperature today was very high, although the track was not bad. It reached the point today in which I was very fatigued and I had a hard time turning the bike in. I had some difficulties, but we have solved many problems already. I'm not very fast yet, but I'm confident that tomorrow we'll get better without so much stress. The important thing is that we went faster than yesterday, although we aren't too high up the order and we need to be more competitive. We have to keep improving to reach Qatar in the best possible condition."

#64 Bo Bendsneyder: "Today we found it a little difficult when it was warmer. The morning went very well; the times were good and I was even able to improve my lap time consecutively at some points. In the second session, after the temperature went up and the wind increased, it was more difficult and I suffered a small crash. We still have a lot of work to do in very hot conditions, but in general the day has been very good. We were not able to do the long runs we had planned, but during the morning we were able to put in a stint of 8-10 laps in a row and I'm satisfied."
-Ajo Motorsport.