The hiring of Jonas Folger as a new test rider by KTM is an event that can only be explained for the moment by the sole particularity that he speaks the language of Goethe, and that he is 29 years old. Because he lacks driving experience and experience on an RC16 which he is learning during the Sepang shakedown which is in progress. The Mattighofen staff had indicated before entering the winter break that they wanted to rejuvenate their test drivers. Mika Kallio is 40 years old and his new mission, looking after young people in the construction sector, seems acquired. But we never know. So, Dani Pedrosa, at 37 years old, signals that he wants to continue riding and helping…
In MotoGP, it is better to be clear and ensure that you have been understood rather than taking things for granted. It is in this sense that Dani Pedrosa, who is riding with the rest of the Austrian squad in Malaysia, intervened to clarify how he sees his future in the short term.
With the humility and also the determination that characterizes him, the one that we will see again on a MotoGP starting grid during the next Spanish Grand Prix, in May, in Jerez, commented on speedweek : " I still love riding. For me, it's the most beautiful thing in the world » begins the three-time World Champion who explains the way he declines his responsibilities in the shadows to KTM : " when I test, I have a clear idea and information in the back of my mind of what is necessary and what is not. Because when I test, for example, I put a set of tires on and ride them until they're gone. So most of the time I'm on the track with tires worn out during testing ».
Dani Pedrosa: “ KTM managers must be convinced that I can still be useful«
A working method that he wants to adapt to the arrival of sprint races and that he therefore wants to live live in Jerez: “ at the Grands Prix it looks like you will be running most of the time on new tires in the future, as direct entry into Q2 will be decided on Friday after FP2. It's a different concept ».
He adds : " as long as I can go fast and as long as I can give the right feedback to the KTM engineers, I will continue ". Then Dani Pedrosa precise. “ That's on the condition that the people in charge of KTM want to keep me, that they are convinced and that they feel that I can still be useful. I want to keep riding as long as possible. But the priority must be that I continue to perform, to be in shape and to put everything together » finishes the Spaniard.
