Since becoming a partner of KTM instead of having been a customer at Yamaha, Hervé Poncharal has sort of two meetings at home. The French Grand Prix, it goes without saying, and now the Austrian Grand Prix which is the national meeting for the Mattighofen manufacturer. He will be very busy there because we are expecting quite a few announcements from the trigram brand whose pundits never fail to walk the lengths of the Red Bull Ring. The opportunity to talk about the future in the hope that the present will finally offer some satisfaction, which is still rare this season...
There are still seven events remaining with this weekend's one in Styria, but we already have enough to draw the broad outlines of an assessment for this 2022 financial year which will have convinced KTM to put other assets than the youth card in his game. Tech3 suffered since the start of this season: having two rookies, even though they are the World Champion and Vice-Champion of the previous year in Moto2, is not a wise choice.
The manufacturer understands this and will soon formalize the return of the experienced Pol Espargaro with its French ally. If we follow the line of experience, Remy gardner should be renewed but as long asAugusto Fernandez will make his demonstration of strength in Moto2, whose three victories have put him in control of the title race, there will be a sort of doubt... On the other hand, there no longer seems to be any since at the moment on the fact that Raul Fernandez will not be walls next year.
In view of this situation, the schedule ofHervé Poncharal will be loaded in Austria on a site whose situation he first assesses… “ Going to the Red Bull Ring is always special for the MotoGP paddock, and even more so for the KTM family for obvious reasons. We will never forget that Austria is the place where Tech3 won its first ever MotoGP race, and this place will forever remain in our hearts ».
Hervé Poncharal: “ in 2020 and 2021 a KTM rider took victory, so hopefully the story continues this year«
The Frenchman continues: “ Tech3 KTM Factory Racing loves going to this circuit because it always offers close racing and exciting track action, especially in the final turns. Moreover, it is located in the middle of nature, the landscape is magnificent and the facilities are excellent. In 2020 and 2021 a KTM rider took victory, so hopefully the story continues this year ».
« Rémy Gardner and Raul Fernandez both enjoy the Austrian track, but it will certainly be a challenge with an RC16 for the first time as it is a very demanding circuit » fears the tricolor. “ Regardless, with high hopes of dry conditions, we have ambitions to do well this weekend in front of the KTM fans who come in large numbers every year and fill the stands in orange. It's always beautiful to see ».
Hervé Poncharal finished : " Tech3 KTM Factory Racing can’t wait to get out there and race. We also have additional motivation to do well in front of Mr. Stefan Pierer and Mr. Hubert Trunkenpolz who always give us an incredible welcome, and all we want is to do well in order to show them our commitment ».
