Biography · #53
The Rider
From the Asia Talent Cup at age 14 to the Moto2 podium — Deniz Öncü is the face of a new generation of Turkish grand prix racing. Known for late-braking moves and headline-grabbing last-lap battles, he rides under the proud banner of the Turkish flag at every round.
Every lap so far.
From karting the streets of Alanya to leading a Moto2 grand prix into the final corner — the milestones that built #53.
2003
Born in Turkey
Born 26 July in Alanya, alongside twin brother Can.
2016
Enters Asia Talent Cup
Rookie season in the Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup.
2017
Asia Talent Cup Champion
Crowned at age 14 by a single point; also finishes 4th in the Red Bull Rookies Cup with wins at Sachsenring and Brno.
2018
Rookies Cup runner-up
Goes toe-to-toe with twin brother Can for the Red Bull Rookies Cup title, finishing second with three victories.
2019
Grand Prix wildcards
Contests the Junior Moto3 World Championship and makes five Moto3 wildcard appearances in place of brother Can.
2020
Full Moto3 season
Joins Red Bull KTM Tech3 for a full rookie campaign; five top-10 finishes with a best of sixth at Valencia.
2021
First Moto3 podium
Maiden grand prix rostrum at the Catalan GP, followed by second places in Austria and Aragon.
2022
Three more podiums
Stays with Tech3 and adds three further podiums, pipped to victory by champion Izan Guevara at Valencia.
2023
First Moto3 wins
Moves to Red Bull KTM Ajo and wins in Germany, Austria and Australia to finish 4th overall; secures his Moto2 promotion.
2024
Promoted to Moto2
Steps up with Red Bull KTM Ajo and takes a maiden Moto2 podium at the Aragon GP.
2025
First Moto2 wins
Beats Moreira by 0.003s at Aragon for Turkey's first Moto2 win, then wins again at Sachsenring before a training crash in August ends the season early.
2026
Elf Marc VDS
Joins Elf Marc VDS Racing Team on a Boscoscuro, returning fully fit to fight for the Moto2 title.
Two brothers, one apex.
Deniz shares more than a birthday with his twin, Can Öncü. Both grew up in the Turkish motorsport pipeline forged by Kenan Sofuoğlu and Toprak Razgatlıoğlu — first on the Asia Talent Cup, then across the world stage.
Three traits. One rider.
Late on the brakes, early on the throttle, and proud to the flag.