Once David, now Goliath
KTM RC16
Riders Pol Espargaró, Miguel Oliveira, Brad Binder, Iker Lecuona
Wins 3 Podium 8
Best championship position 5th Espargaró
KTM were undoubtedly the biggest improver during 2020 having made significant changes to their machine ahead of the season and rolling out an all new bike. The new engine was a definite improvement, the V4 RC16 provided strong top speed but combined with a usable power delivery that seemed to marry very well with the improved edge grip from the 2020 Michelin rear tyre. An ability to stop the bike was a clear strength for all KTM riders, although it did require that they used one step harder on the front tyre than the majority of other manufacturers, but it provided the riders the feeling they needed to gain vital metres during deceleration.
WP continued to develop the suspension throughout the season, with Dani Pedrosa and Mika Kallio working hard in testing behind the scenes, a new generation front fork arrived at the beginning of the season followed up with further development towards the later stages providing a further step forward, especially for Espargaró. The new oval shape main frame beams adopted in post season 2019 tests when we first saw the new bike, remained with each frame development throughout the season as did the switch to the taller and longer geometry setting that arrived early in 2020. KTM’s combination of Guerney flaps (small lip) on the trailing edges of the main wings and jagged edges on their nose cone to promote vortex shedding helped in terms of anti-wheelie during acceleration, clearly witnessed driving out of the 1st gear hairpins at the Red Bull Ring.