It was technically expected: the adventure KTM, for Tech3, would first require adaptation time and development work on the RC16 before bearing fruit on the track and against the clock. A situation which is evolving quite quickly, as demonstrated by the very encouraging performance of a Miguel Oliveira in Argentina. That being said, to take on such a challenge, you must be entirely focused on your subject, dedicated to the cause, and therefore be strong in your head. Otherwise, we are sinking and the ranking is indicative of the slump. A situation which is that ofHafizh Syahrin.
These days, having a Malaysian in your stable is not a bad thing. The future of Grands Prix seems to be looking towards South East Asia which is investing enormously in the MotoGP discipline by preparing its future riders, by launching into pharaonic projects to host a Grand Prix, by investing in stables. A good calculation therefore, but a pilot remains a pilot: he must prove himself on the track.
Last year, Hervé Poncharal reacted to the last minute defection of Jonas Folger by taking everyone by surprise with the announcement of the recruitment ofHafizh Syharin. A choice which nevertheless proved to be justified since the Malaysian, with the Yamaha, entered the top 10 three times. With, in particular, a good comeback in his national event on the Sepang track.
But the one equipped with a Yamaha also showed empty passages. Periods which seem more painful this year with a KTM less docile than a Yamaha. In this situation, the boss Hervé Poncharal comment on speedweek the first day in Argentina: “ It's very strange what's happening with him. But we have already seen it in 2018. He finished ninth last year here at Las Termas in his second MotoGP race… In the summer he fell into a lower phase. We know this guy has a lot of potential. But during FP1 at Las Termas, it was a disaster. Hafizh lost more than 2,5 seconds… ».
« I got really angry. After three laps in FP2, he was suddenly two full seconds faster. We hadn't changed anything on the bike. Something is wrong with him, mind-wise. Right now he's not able to push for reasons I can't explain and for which he also has no explanation. But we are behind him and hope ».
And hope was rewarded on Sunday with the confirmation of a sort of trigger that occurred on Friday for the Malaysian driver who for the first time gave the impression of fighting and finished the race in a much better 16th position.
“Hafizh Syahrin was a little lost in Qatar. But the way he recovered here in Argentina after FP1 was astonishing. He fought throughout the race with Johann Zarco, he never let anyone pass between the two of them. He attacked from the start of the race to the finish line. At one point there was an error in the race result display and he was 15th, which would have been incredibly rewarding for his effort, but either way top 16 is a good thing. He fought with other riders, he overtook riders like Mir, Rabat, Abraham, Iannone and that's something we are very proud of. We knew he had great potential, but we wanted him to show it with a KTM, which is what he did today. So, once again, well done and thank you very much Hafizh! ".
At Termas, El Pescao did not finish last, thanks to a
Iannone apparently not in great shape on an Aprilia…
But number 55 will have to confirm in Austin!
