A new branch has opened in the transfer market: that of test pilots, a sector of activity whose KTM has claimed paternity and which concerns Yamaha as much as Aprilia. But since we are talking about the Austrians, if we do not know who will be the partner of a Kallio who will continue his work once his knee recovers, we are assured of who will not be: Bradley Smith, on his grounds at Silverstone announced that his time on a KTM is now on the final countdown. In 2019, the Englishman and the RC16 will separate.
A decision motivated by the job description established by Pete Beirer : more tests and fewer Grands Prix as a guest. A rationing of competition which deterred Bradley Smith : " I won't ride a KTM in the future. The vision I have for the rest of my career is different from what they need from a test pilot. Now, my goal is to prepare for my return in 2020. I need to find a situation that will allow me to be able to make this return ».
If we follow his logic, he will therefore have to integrate a sports program which will ensure him visibility. MotoGP being clogged, Moto2 apparently remains the only salvation, unless you consider something in Superbike. On the rest of the season with KTM which already seems like an epilogue, he comments: “ between KTM and me, they are simply two people who have two different visions of the future. It's a shame because I won't see this adventure end as I would have liked. But I have impacted the evolution of this bike over the last two years and that will stay forever. At the end of this season, I will no longer be in the orange team ».
For the British Grand Prix scheduled this weekend, Smith hate Loris Baz as a teammate since the holder Pol Espargaro is convalescing. On the test team side, we will remind you that it is Randy De Puniet which replaces Mika Kallio he also injured.
