Moto2, Aki Ajo, KTM: “the Jerez test will be extremely important”

At KTM, it's not just MotoGP that occupies a competition department dubbed by Hervé Poncharal as the ultimate in the motorcycle world. There is also Moto2 and Moto3. The first category mentioned has also given Mattighofen engineers headaches this winter, after the first tests in Aragón, and especially in Jerez, were disappointing. An error in heading has been recognized. And the Austrians are meeting again this week on the same Jerez route to check that their work has been in the right direction. An important deadline. So much so that KTM didn’t wait until Wednesday to get started…

We can even say that the men of Pete Beirer are already hard at work. Eight KTM teams, lined up in Moto2 and Moto3, have been present in Jerez since yesterday Monday for two days of private testing. Among them, the spearhead in Moto2, Garlic, which will however have to share the spotlight in the category with a structure Tech3 just as well followed by the factory…

Public chat speedweek, the Finn clarifies the issue: “ we have a lot of work to do. Especially this week. We test for five days in Jerez. We started on Monday. This test will be extremely important. The first official Moto2 tests in November went well. But we weren't 100% satisfied with the bike's performance. However, I know that the work has never stopped since then. Our group did not rest. That's why we have a lot to test these days ».

It will be recalled that the boss of the KTM competition, Pit Beirer, said in November that KTM had gone too far in the rigidity of a chassis that accommodates the new Triumph engine. A compromise therefore had to be found between the bike from Jerez and the equipment seen in Aragón in September. It is this new version which arrives in Jerez. “ Yes, this is the situation recognize Aki Ajo. We definitely have some new gear to try this week. The private test in Aragón in September was not an ideal benchmark. It wasn't until November when the IRTA tests in Jerez took place, when all the Moto2 teams were on track, that we got direct comparisons with our opponents. It was actually the first real test with the 2019 bikes. There you could see the level for the first time ».

In 2019, Brad Binder will team up with Jorge Martin. The South African is entering his third year at this level and has three victories taken last year. He therefore appears to be the natural leader of the team: “ If we are realistic, if our package works well in all areas and we do a good job, Brad should be a driver capable of fighting for the championship. I hope Brad realizes that he is the experienced driver on our team. He's with us for the fifth season, he almost feels like part of the family. I hope this will help him to constantly maintain the necessary serenity and be consistent throughout the season. Yes, I trust ».