Twin brother of Can, Deniz Öncü grabbed headlines in 2017 when he took the Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup title by a single point in only his second year in the series. Still only 14-years-old, the talented Turk also finished fourth in the Red Bull Rookies Cup in the same year, with his campaign highlights being victories at the Sachsenring and in Brno. In 2018, Deniz went toe-to-toe with twin brother Can for the Rookies Cup title, eventually finishing runner-up despite three victories. All of his focus and attention went on the Junior Moto3™ World Championship in 2019 as he looked to make a further step on his 2018 season. However, despite showing front-running pace at most rounds, crashes and technical problems plagued his year as he failed to register a single podium finish. Öncü showed his talent on the World Championship stage though in 2019, riding in place of brother Can on five occasions and impressing everytime. In 2020, he got his chance in the World Championship full-time as part of the Red Bull KTM Tech 3 squad. No fewer than five top ten finishes, including a best of sixth in Valencia, saw the Turk impress in his rookie season. His development continued in a breakthrough 2021 as the number 53 took a maiden podium finish at the Catalan GP and followed it up with second place finishes in Austria and Aragon. Remaining on Tech3’s books for 2022, the Turkish rider added three more podiums to his collection, the third of which saw him pipped to victory by Champion Izan Guevara. His goal for 2023? To secure the first victory of his World Championship career with Red Bull KTM Ajo, and he would achieve it. Emerging victorious in Germany, Austria, and Australia, the young Turkish rider would finish fourth overall and secure a spot in Moto2™ for 2024 within Aki Ajo's structure.
Rider Stats
Rider Bio
Bike
Kalex
Date of birth
26/07/2003
Place of birth
Alanya
Height
172 cm
Weight
61 kg
Rider Story
News
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Acosta to MotoGP™ edges closer as Red Bull KTM Ajo sign Öncü & Vietti
The Turk and Italian will form Aki Ajo’s Moto2™ team next season as Acosta gets set for MotoGP™ promotion
By Red Bull KTM Ajo -
Öncü steals victory by 0.005s in Moto3™ barnstormer
The Turk went into the final corner in 3rd but dragged his way past the Sasaki and Holgado to snatch the win at the line
By motogp.com -
Sasaki and Öncü to remain with Red Bull KTM Tech3 in 2021
Both riders extend their contracts for the upcoming year in order to continue their great improvements already shown so far
By motogp.com
Videos
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Moto3™ recap: Holgado takes Friday honours in Valencia
Deniz Öncü and Joel Kelso joined the Spaniard in the top three after Day 1 in Spain
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Moto3™ recap: Öncü romps to another pole position
The Turk will launch from the head of the grid but is joined by heavy hitters Diogo Moreira and Ayumu Sasaki on the front row
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LAST LAP: Öncü and Sasaki go wheel-to-wheel for victory
The Australian GP played host to a lightweight class thriller in the wet conditions, which saw victory decided very late on
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Moto3™ rostrum round up: Oncu, Sasaki and Joel Kelso
Hear from the podium finishers following a dramatic conclusion to the lightweight class race at the Australian GP
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Moto3™ rostrum round up: Alonso, Masia, Öncü
Hear from your podium finishers after a breathtaking lightweight class San Marino GP
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Moto3™ recap: Masia makes it a perfect Friday in Misano
The Leopard rider ended both sessions atop the timesheets with Ayumu Sasaki and Deniz Öncü not far behind the Spaniard
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Moto3™ rostrum round up: Öncü, Holgado, Sasaki
Hear from your podium finishers after a photo finish finale unfolded at the CryptoDATA Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich
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Moto3™ rostrum round up: Guevara, Öncü, Garcia
An epic lightweight class encounter went to the wire as the World Champion pipped the Turk to the line at the Valencia GP