2025 Moto3™ world championship contender, Jose Antonio Rueda, will continue his KTM GP Academy journey by transitioning into the Moto2 wing of the Red Bull KTM Ajo team alongside Collin Veijer for 2026.
The 19-year-old is currently leading the Moto3 standings by 78 points after securing eight wins and eleven podiums with the KTM RC4 in just his third season in the category. The Spaniard has impressed with his speed, racecraft and adaptation to the highest level since his emphatic Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup and FIM JuniorGP double title-winning campaign in 2022. Rueda will form an alliance with Collin Veijer in the intermediate class for his debut season in 2026.
Rueda now follows in the footsteps of at least five other riders to have represented Aki Ajo’s revered Red Bull KTM Grand Prix team in two divisions. The Ajo squad forms a key structural component of the KTM GP Academy: the scheme has assisted seven riders develop their skills to earn slots on the MotoGP™ grid since 2020.
Jose Antonio Rueda: “I'm really happy to be able to ride for Red Bull KTM Ajo in Moto2 next year. They were the ones who trusted me in my rookie year in the world championship. They believed in me and I'm really grateful to them, especially to Aki and Niklas. It's a team I've always dreamed of being part of and I want to continue fulfilling my dreams with them. I hope we can enjoy many more years together. I know Moto2 is a very difficult category, and it will be tough, but we’re ready to give 100%, learn and enjoy every moment. Also, I will be sharing the box with Collin, which is something I'm really excited about, as we've known each other for many years. Finally, I would like to thank everyone around me, friends, family and sponsors for their unconditional support”.
Niklas Ajo, Red Bull KTM Ajo Team Manager: “We are very happy to sign Jose Antonio to maintain the journey with him that we started three years ago. I think he has great potential for the future in Moto2, so we’re very excited to have him on board again. It’s certainly a pleasure to have two riders together who come from the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup program, so we want to carry on helping them grow during next season.”
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