With this idea developed by KTM of a return of Dani Pedrosa in a Grand Prix, this exciting 2021 season promises to be even more spicy at the start of the school year. It will take place in August in Styria and will extend to Misano, two regions that the KTM test rider should explore in the middle of the MotoGP peloton. The wild card is acquired for the Spaniard. However, sports director Pit Beirer specifies that such an invitation can be honored… Or not.
Pete Beirer somewhat cooled the fans of a Dani Pedrosa who will find the summer break quite long. And for good reason: at the start of the school year, their idol will have the opportunity to participate in a Grand Prix in Styria and another in Misano. The wildcard is acquired. However, there is no obligation to honor it… Beirer said so on speedweek : " not all requested wildcards are required to be made » said the high representative KTM. On the driver side, the Titanium sounded like a good time to race. Things are therefore looking quite good, but we must remain cautious because, as pointed out Randy de Puniet, the level is currently such in MotoGP that occasionally getting back into the fray means first of all being sure of receiving blows.
The opportunity is nevertheless there and it allows Pit Beirer to take stock of the state of its workforce in terms of test pilots. Dani Pedrosa is 35 years old and Mika Kallio will be 39 next November. Ages far from being prohibitive since Pirro at Ducati recently celebrated its 35th anniversary while at Suzuki, Guintoli is recently in his forties. And he works wonders, both in his work on the GSX-RR and in Endurance competition. It is now registered in the 24 hours motorcycle rankings. Only pitfall for KTM: Rock suffered a fractured tibia and fibula during the last pre-season, which forced him to change the schedule that the brand had set for his tests.
However, Pete Beirer, KTM competition director, mentions that he has in mind the idea of rejuvenating his troops: “ the two test pilots we have are already of a certain age. At some point we'll have to think about a younger tester, although at the moment we feel very comfortable with those we have ».
KTM and the “fascinating” idea regarding Petrucci
Pedrosa is often referred to as the one which mainly allowed the RC16 to reach the level it displays today. He has been within the walls of Mattighofen since 2019. But Rock, in office since the birth of the Austrian MotoGP project, is not forgotten: “ Mika's work often differs from that of Dani Pedrosa. A tester's job isn't just to ride until the last second. There is a lot of basic work to do, testing a new chassis, a new fork, some springs… Mika has an important job, as does Dani »Assures Beirer.
There is therefore no urgency to refresh this test team. However, either PetrucciEither Lessonwill have to let go of the KTM Tech3 handlebars at the end of the year. So why not get one back at the end of this season? If Beirer evokes the idea, it is only for Petrux: “ having a tester like Danilo in the house, who can race at a high level at any time as a replacement if a regular driver is injured is of course also a thought fascinating » he said. It remains that between Dani Pedrosa and the Italian, we have two radically opposed body types... A subject which is, well, probably not a priority at a time when KTM must first guard against attacks from competition against its hopes Raul fernandez et Peter Acosta...
