At KTM, we try to deal with the most pressing needs in the present and we also prepare for tomorrow, in the light of this year's experience. The lesson is that when developing a young bike like the RC16, it is better to have a large number of riders. With a Mika Kallio unavailable who is slowly recovering from a serious knee injury and a Espargaro Pol badly hit for the third time in 2018, we are hiring in Mattighofen.
A quality recruitment apparently since KTM practically no longer hides the future arrival of Dani Pedrosa. And when will the test driver contract with the three-time world champion be announced? Pit Beirer responds about the 32-year-old Spaniard: “ as soon as the final contracts are signed"
Remains the case of Espargaro Pol, who injured his collarbone in Aragon, on the eve of a grueling four-race overseas campaign… “ Randy de Puniet tested for us after the San Marino Grand Prix in Misano and didn't do too badly there » comments the same Beirer on speedweek. " He also carried out the private test on the KTM RC16 on Tuesday and Wednesday in Aragon. We have made an agreement with Randy in Aragón for the rest of the year, in which his testing missions are regulated. Thus, he is now our replacement driver in the event of a regular driver's withdrawal. ».
A priori, its roadmap for Thailand is therefore established. But within the entourage of the 37-year-old Frenchman, we are much less affirmative. So there would be a debate with KTM? In the meantime, we recall that Randy de Puniet will be at the MotoE World Cup in 2019 at LCR while Rock is already assured of the renewal of its lease with the Mattighofen factory in 2019 to continue its test pilot mission. And therefore alongside Dani Pedrosa ?
