KTM on track for MotoGP test
With the easing of lockdown restrictions, more and more racers have been making their way back on track. Last week Valentino Rossi completed at day at Misano on a Yamaha R1M and this week has seen Alex Rins break cover at Catalunya on a GSX-R1000 alongside Aleix Espargaro riding an Aprilia RSV4. But it was KTM who trumped them all by completing a two-day test on their actual MotoGP machinery at the Red Bull Ring in Austria. Number one rider Pol Espargaro was joined by full time test rider Dani Pedrosa for the test where they continued work on the rapidly improving RC16.
Brad Binder was unable to complete the test due to the fact that he remains in his native South Africa and can not leave due to ongoing Covid-19 restrictions.
Having not ridden his 250bhp+ MotoGP bike since testing way back in February, it was an important step back for Espargaro who starts his fourth year with the Austrian manufacturer. He said: “I don’t think I have ever been so long without a bike – especially one for competition – so it was a little bit difficult in the first few runs yesterday but I was quickly up to the kind of rhythm I was setting in Qatar. It was great to get back in action and I think we all felt that: there were a lot of smiling faces in the box. Technically we made some improvements mostly with the chassis but also some electronics. I’m really happy. Now just to look forward to the first race.”
It remains unclear what testing, if any, other teams and firms will conduct before the planned official test the Wednesday before the scheduled opening race on July 17-19.
‘I don’t think that I have ever been so long without a bike’