Factory KTM continues to live a waking dream in Sarthe. On Friday, the Austrians managed to place their two RC16s in the top 10 to better secure a place in Q.2. A status confirmed on Saturday so much so that the orange motorcycle full of vitamins found itself eighth and tenth on the Bugatti starting grid. A feat. But also the fruits of intense work.
When, at the start of the season, KTM announced that its objective was to beat Aprilia and in two seasons to play for the title, it was difficult to give credit to Mattighofen's coat of arms. The fifth Grand Prix is underway and we must recognize that the same Austrians are starting to convince us of their roadmap.
In Jerez, the new engine showed good performance confirmed on the Bugatti with a top speed of 304,3 km/h achieved by Pol Espargaro during FP3. Certainly, in the aspiration of Márquez. But while Suzuki, Aprilia and Ducati were trying to get one of their official riders to the qualifying final, at KTM they were preparing their duo to play for the best positions on the starting grid.
So yes, KTM is more than on the right track. Although there is still work to be done: This day was practically perfect except for a small mistake in my fastest lap. Without her, I think I could have been seventh instead of Redding. But we can't complain » assures the teammate Bradley Smith ranked ahead of his brother Aleix on the Aprilia.
« We see the progress made and we will be even better at the end of this season. The whole factory works without taking a break and all the guys deserve this result. Our chassis is our current weak point, but there too, solutions are coming. In the race, it will be more difficult, but new parts are coming. The bike is still very young and we still need to understand it ". So, where will the two RC16s be placed on Sunday?
#FrenchGP Le Mans J.2: Chronos
1. Maverick Vinales ESP Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 1m 31.994s [Lap 7/8] 303km/h (Top Speed)
2. Valentino Rossi ITA Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 1m 32.100s +0.106s [8/8] 302km/h
3. Johann zarco ENG Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1)* 1m 32.229s +0.235s [6/6] 300km/h
4. Cal Crutchlow GBR LCR Honda (RC213V) 1m 32.300s +0.306s [8/8] 303km/h
5. Marc Marquez ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 1m 32.493s +0.499s [8/9] 301km/h
6. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP17) 1m 32.726s +0.732s [7/7] 308km/h
7. Scott Redding GBR Octo Pramac Racing (Desmosedici GP16) 1m 33.119s +1.125s [3/7] 307km/h
8.
Espargaro Pol ESP Red Bull KTM Factory Racing (RC16)
1m 33.399s +1.405s [7/7] 302km/h
9. Karel Abraham CZE Pull&Bear Aspar Team (Desmosedici GP15) 1m 33.517s +1.523s [8/8] 304km/h
10. Bradley Smith GBR Red Bull KTM Factory Racing (RC16) 1m 33.629s +1.635s [4/9] 296km/h
11. Jack Miller AUS Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS (RC213V) 1m 33.756s +1.762s [3/5] 299km/h
12. Loris Baz FRA Reale Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP15) 1m 33.955s +1.961s [3/5] 299km/h
13. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V)
1m 32.415s 305km/h
14. Alvaro Bautista ESP Pull&Bear Aspar Team (Desmosedici GP16) 1m 32.484s 306km/h
15. Jonas Folger GER Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1)*
1m 32.695s 302km/h
16. Jorge Lorenzo ESP Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP17)
1m 32.830s 305km/h
17. Andrea Iannone ITA Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR)
1m 32.844s 304km/h
18. Alex Espargaro ESP Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) 1m 33.187s 301km/h
19. Danilo Petrucci ITA Octo Pramac Racing (Desmosedici GP17) 1m 33.231s 303km/h
20. Hector Barbera ESP Reale Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP16) 1m 33.233s 311km/h
21. Sam Lowes GBR Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP)*
1m 33.817s 297km/h
22. Tito Rabat ESP Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS (RC213V) 1m 33.875s 303km/h
23. Sylvain Guintoli FRA Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR)
1m 34.082s 304km/h
