Hervé Poncharal is one of those who are eager to attack the 2022 MotoGP season. And for good reason: on paper, he can detect more advantages than on the sheet he had in his hands in 2021. The KTM factory will strengthen its support which was already substantial, while, on the drivers' side, the boss French has two senior representatives of the next generation in its box. Who are also the World Champion and his runner-up of the past Moto2 campaign. Certainly, but the one who presides over the destiny of Tech3 cannot escape the idea that this year will be that of the Ducati…
Hervé Poncharal has been involved in the industry for long enough now to feel what can happen in a season from the winter tests. And in view of the latter, which have only confirmed the trend of the last part of the previous financial year, you do not have to be a great cleric to know that it will be quite complicated to measure yourself against the Ducati. Including one in particular, led by Pecco Bagnaia.
The facts speak for themselves: the previous year, Ducati not only won seven victories this season, one more than Yamaha. Four were the prerogative of bagnaia, two times Miller materialized and Martin managed to climb to the top of the podium in his rookie year. The Italian brand also achieved a total of 24 podiums, winning in the World Team Championship and the World Brand Championship.
Furthermore, during the Jerez tests in November, Pecco Bagnaia was up to 0,8 seconds ahead of his pursuers. The same gap existed between places 2 and 16 at that time. So many elements that make the French on speedweek : " Pecco Bagnaia and Ducati were the superior rider/bike combination in the final six races of the season in 2021. In the Jerez test, Ducati was incredibly dominant. The new Ducati engine made an excellent impression. Ducati will clearly be the benchmark in 2022 ».
Hervé Poncharal: “ let's hope KTM brings a special weapon to the Sepang test in February »
That being said, Hervé Poncharal specifies that he is not leaving defeated in the face of the Red Army. He believes in Agent Orange: “ when Bagnaia achieved this best time in the morning at the ideal time, our two drivers had to go to the Dorna photo session. As a result, they missed the best opportunity for best times, because in the early morning there was no wind in Jerez and the temperatures were pleasant. Pecco and a few other drivers exploited these conditions perfectly. Then, in the afternoon, the competitors got a little closer to him » specifies the tricolor on the “slap” taken in Jerez.
« KTM gathered very valuable information from the four riders and Dani Pedrosa during testing. I firmly believe that KTM will benefit from this contribution. Let's hope they bring a special weapon to the Sepang test in February » adds the man who is also president of the IRTA who also believes in the added value that his new pair of drivers will bring: “ I saw Remy and Raúl on the MotoGP bikes with us for a total of three days in Misano and Jerez "Adds Poncharal. “ After these first days of testing, I am convinced that our two boys will present themselves as good MotoGP riders."
KTM will have to do its part in 2022 after showing certain weaknesses during the 2021 season. The Austrian brand has only taken four podiums in 18 Grands Prix. In 2020 there were eight in 14 races.
