MotoGP: Aki Ajo’s Greatest Hits

Since Aki Ajo’s racing team debuted in the 2001 125cc championship, the stereotypically cool Finn has established himself as one of the most respected characters in the paddock.

A reputation of stoic calm, passion for the sport, as well as an impeccable work ethic precedes him, and crucially, he seems to have a gift of pulsing young talent.

The Ajo Motorsport alumni list reads as a who’s-who of MotoGP. No less than six of the current premier class riders have been shaped in his school – and there is no coincidence to the success of his system.

Ajo has built a cutting-edge infrastructure with a competent and enthusiastic team that is ready to sacrifice for results and improvements. His set-up promises progressive performance and riders are proverbially queuing outside his garage for a chance to prove themselves.

“The whole team is proud that many riders learn a lot from us. On the other hand, I always say that though they are young guys, for sure we are learning a lot from them. And what we learn we always try to use for the next ‘customer’.”

Aki Ajo

When scouting a rider that will fit with the group, Ajo emphasises that it is not just speed he is looking for. What he wants to see in a rider’s eyes is that they really want it; that they bring the right attitude and passion and that they are ready to work hard to achieve their goals.

He has the ability to tame young, hot headed riders and turn them into championship contenders. The secret? Ajo tries to find the right way to work with each individual rider. He determines a winning strategy and he provides the full package, from riding skills to psychological elements.

Ajo is in equal measure supportive and honest, sometimes even hard, with his riders to put them on the right path and prepare them for a career at the pinnacle of motorcycle racing.

All it takes to prove his formula is a look at his greatest hits.

Marc Marquez

Ajo was key in paving the way for Marc Marquez’ final breakthrough in grand prix racing. He took him under his wing for the 2010 125cc season after two years in the category that promised irresistible talent but did not produce results.

Although, or maybe even because, the Finn’s calm and level headed approach contrasted the flamboyant Spaniard, the pair developed a warm and productive relationship. Race wins came almost instantly and Ajo’s serene presence ensured the team kept their feet on the ground and kept working away.

Perhaps the best example for the impact of his composure is the 2010 Portuguese GP. Marquez crashed on the formation lap and returned a heavily damaged Derbi to the garage.

The team was forced to a rapid rebuilding job and in all the frantic action, Ajo remained calm. He oversaw the repair and made sure a functional bike was ready for the start of the race. Marquez rode to victory and wrapped up his first world title at the following season finale in Valencia.

The foundations were laid for a meteoric rise that took Marquez to seven further world championship crowns across the intermediate and premier class.

Mika Kallio

The career stories of Ajo Motorsport and Mika Kallio are closely intertwined. The Finnish connection started their journey in grand prix racing together with wild cards in 2001 before completing their first full 125cc season the year after.

Kallio being the son of a friend of his, Ajo’s relationship with his rider was marked by mutual trust and support from the very beginning.

“We are passionate people, so for sure we are coming her to have success and for winning. But it is also part of our job to coach talented riders and grow them up to be ready for the MotoGP category. If they are winning for us and after that they finally arrive in MotoGP, I think our job is done.”

Aki Ajo

After success in the Finnish and Nordic championships as well as in ice racing, Ajo offered Kallio a chance to prove himself on the world stage. He immediately did so, finishing Rookie of the Year in 2002.

Kallio worked his way up and debuted in the MotoGP category in 2009. After a stint back in Moto2 from 2011 to 2015, he returned to the premier class as KTM’s official test and reserve rider.

Mike di Meglio

Mike di Meglio’s first years in grand prix racing produced an underwhelming record. Despite a controversial win at the 2005 Turkish GP, where Mika Kallio crashed and race leader Tom Luthi had to run wide to avoid him, the striking memoirs are crashes and inconsistency – until he joined Ajo Motorsport for the 2008 season.

Ajo saw a talent in di Meglio that he thought he could polish and a few races into the campaign he stroke the right note.

“The key is Aki because he is able to put the right people working for you, he has the voice of a leader and he is able to put things in the right place. If he has something to say to you, he will say it.”

Miguel Oliveira

The season got off to a slow start for the set-up, but di Meglio cleverly capitalised on his rivals showing weakness and gradually started to put a consistent run of form together. The Frenchman accumulated four race wins and five further podiums to take the title and become Ajo’s first world champion.

After leaving Ajo in 2006 to graduate into the intermediate class, di Meglio’s form dropped. Nevertheless, he secured MotoGP rides for 2014 and -15 and has been a frontrunner in MotoE since 2019.

Johann Zarco

Ajo Motorsport and Johann Zarco achieved the runner-up spot in the 2011 125cc class. They parted ways for three years before reuniting when Ajo ventured the step up into the intermediate class in 2015.

Having previously only competed in the smallest category, Ajo built his Moto2 structure around the French rider. Zarco described the connection with the Finn as well as with the whole team as “really good”, underlining that “all the people have really high motivation for victory and that’s very important for a rider.”

The partnership secured the Moto2 title in their first year in the championship and went on to repeat the feat the next season, making Zarco the first and only rider to defend the Moto2 crown.

Zarco earned his promotion to MotoGP and has so far bagged nine podium finishes.

Brad Binder

Brad Binder personifies the efficacy of the partnership between Ajo Motorsport and KTM. The South African joined the factory-supported Moto3 team for the 2015 season and achieved a positive record with four podiums and a sixth place finish in the overall standings.

A year later, the line-up went on to dominate the class. In total, Binder collected seven race victories, including a spectacular maiden win from the back of the grid in Jerez, and wrapped up the title with four rounds to spare and an eventual 142 point margin over second place.

Binder speaks highly and affectionately of sharing a box with Ajo. He underlines that the Finn did not only teach him how to ride quickly but also how to manage tyres, the way of working with other crew members and how to transmit feelings when there are problems with the bike.

“I learned more in one year than I had in my entire career. Aki has done an amazing job with the team. He has given me many tips that have been priceless; there were things I used to find difficult, but now I feel more understood.”

Brad Binder

Ajo retained Binder for the following three seasons in his factory KTM Moto2 team. They bagged eight race victories and came agonisingly close to the title in 2019, missing out by only three points.

The success he built with aid of Ajo earned Binder a promotion straight into KTM’s factory MotoGP effort for 2020 where he secured a win in only his third race.