Deniz Öncü saves point on the line in #CzechGP – Top 20 for Sasaki

The Czech Grand Prix saw the Red Bull KTM Tech3 duo fighting for points today, which eventually worked out on the side of Deniz Öncü.

The Turkish youngster was well inside the top group for at least half distance of the race after starting from P19 on the grid. He grit his teeth to deliver a surprise attack on the last lap, grabbing 15th position and with it the final championship point of the field. Whereas Ayumu Sasaki faced a tough challenge to catch up from P28. With strong times on the first laps, the Japanese managed to get up to 23rd at half time, improving further to eventually see the flag in 20th position.

Deniz Öncü

“Actually, this weekend was really hard for me, because all the time, I was struggling a lot. I was 2.5 seconds slower compared to the fastest riders, it was not easy to set up the bike and to stay focused. Saturday, we managed to improve our time and I also adapted better with regards to my riding style at this circuit, which is one of the hardest for me. I had a good start to the race, but was struggling a bit in corner one and 10, so I couldn’t go to the front. I tried to save my position, but I was fighting a lot inside the group. Finally, I managed to finish in P15, I learned a lot. Every race is a new experience for me, so I am happy. We will leave this place with one point and without crashes. Next up is Austria, so we concentrate on that now.”

Ayumu Sasaki

“Overall we had a quite difficult weekend. After we finished well in FP1, but in FP2 I crashed out after just a few laps and later, we lost the rhythm and important track time. Our Qualifying strategy wasn’t working out, so now we have to improve. Our race pace was not so bad. I still didn’t feel great with the bike, but I tried to give everything I can and we ended up inside the second group. At the end, I was battling one rider and we lost the contact to the group on the final laps, but we were there and I think that was important. We learned a lot this weekend, we have Austria coming up straight away. I’m sure we can do better and I hope I can deliver two better races at the Red Bull Ring.”