José Antonio Rueda is contesting his first full season in the Moto3 World Championship. The Sevillian rider arrives at Red Bull KTM Ajo after being proclaimed JuniorGP and Red Bull Rookies Cup champion in 2022. After an outstanding fourth place at Portimao Rueda, he progressed every weekend, scoring points in almost every race and fight for the Top10. After the first part of the Championship, Rueda reviews his debut as a World Cup driver and his goals in the remaining races.
This is your first full year in the World Championship after having a perfect year winning the Red Bull Rookies Cup and the JuniorGP, how has the year started for you?
“It’s been a year of a lot of learning. It’s a new team and above all a new bike, so I have to adapt. We keep learning with KTM in every race and I think we’re getting closer to each other . We still have a long way to go to get more comfortable on the bike, so to speak, but we’re on the right track and I’m very happy with the results and the work I’ve been doing with the team.”
As you said, a new bike and also a new team in 2023. What are your expectations before the start of the season?
“Obviously you always want to do your best to start with, but of course be Rookie of the Year. We’ve been working hard since the season started and I think we can do that.”
In the first race of the season, you managed to qualify on the front row and finished fourth, close to the podium. Do you expect the season to start like this or do you think it will be more complicated?
“I didn’t expect to get very far in the first race, although I expected a good result because it’s a circuit that I know very well and I like a lot. I think that also helped me to be on the front row and more -four. At the beginning of this year there are many circuits that I have already ridden, so that is a point in favor, I know the line and I can go faster”.
What helps you the most when it comes to competing in these first races?
“The team helps me the most. I’ve adapted well to the way of working, I get along well with my coach and that’s very positive, especially on circuits I’ve never been to before, because it involves it adapts more and these are completely new scenarios for me”.
What would you highlight about yourself as a pilot?
“It’s a difficult question (laughs), but I want to highlight that I can go fast from the start, especially on circuits that I already know. But if I have to highlight something above all , it’s Sunday’s race.”
Heading into this second half, what do you want to focus on for the rest of the year?
“Well, to improve on circuits that I don’t know myself, to try to go faster, but, above all, to be more comfortable with the bike to be able to go a little more to the limit because I’m still studying . , because of course, this is the first part this year that I am with KTM. And I would say that those aspects to improve are that and qualify later on Saturday”.
You have a teammate with a lot of experience in the category. What does Deniz Öncü bring you from the other side of the box?
“It especially helps me when we come to a new circuit that I don’t know, because I don’t have reference data. In some races we were combined on the track, especially in the first three, where I had to gain more experience , although each of us has followed our line of work. It’s always positive to have a rider like him to learn and continue to develop in a category as competitive as Moto3”.
We’re in the middle of the summer break, longer than originally planned, but what goals do you have for the rest of the races?
“Obviously I want to keep improving and finish adapting to the KTM. We went into the holidays with a very good taste in our mouths after the Assen race. This is my first year on this bike while others riders have been with it for a few years. There are weekends where it costs me a little, but we are focused on the points where we have to work, like qualifying later on Saturday.”
After a great start to the year, with a fourth place in Portimao and the Top 10 in several races, you occupy ninth position overall. Is it still a goal to be Rookie of the year?
“Of course. I’m close and we keep fighting to achieve it. The results are getting better and better and I think we have more to look forward to. It’s great to end the year as the best Rookie.”
What are your plans this summer break?
“We will take a few days to enjoy with friends and family, but we will continue to train hard so that we can stay at the front and be as competitive as possible.”
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
