KTM equaled its best MotoGP result of the year at Phillip Island with Bradley Smith's tenth place, completing the top 10 of Mika Kallio in Jerez and Bradley in Germany. As for qualifying, the highlight of the 2018 season remains Smith's eighth place at Silverstone.
How was the tour of the 4 recent overseas races for KTM in general?
“We were hoping for a little better. We were very happy with Bradley's level at Phillip Island. Pol apparently made a bad tire choice in Australia and was unable to finish, but otherwise he could also have had a very good race. They both got great starts and were in a good position, but unfortunately for Pol it didn't end well.
“Overall, we continue to make progress, even if it doesn’t always show. KTM continues to work hard and I hope we will reap the rewards. We had some with Bradley at Phillip Island and we were happy with it, he was still eighth with two laps to go and had a great race. »
The future seems to be looking good as Mike Leitner (KTM MotoGP manager) declared “at Sepang we were happy to see our future rider Johann zarco very motivated ".
“At our house, everyone was happy with that. He had a mid-season that was a little below what we expected, but we see that now he is coming back and that he is still in great shape. I hope he shows it with the KTM too. We can't wait for him to try it and give us his opinion. »
Will the arrival of the Tech 3 team, equipped with factory KTMs next year, allow us to take an important step?
“An important step, I don't know, but what is certain is that it will be a big help because we will benefit from their experience, and there will also be two more motorcycles running on the track. It's a team that has a lot of Grand Prix experience, with Guy (Coulon) in particular, so it can only be positive anyway. KTM wanted two extra bikes and an experienced team, so it should go very well. »
A test pilot like Dani Pedrosa will it be useful next year for KTM with a weight of 51 kg, to develop the RC 16 of Espargaro Pol (64 kg) and Johann Zarco (66)?
“It is certain that he is lighter than everyone, but despite everything he is a driver who goes very fast and who has a lot of experience. He obviously knows the Honda very well, and I think everything he was able to learn and develop on the Honda will benefit KTM.
“When he manages to find the right settings, he proves that he is still very fast, like at Sepang last Sunday where he finished fifth. The fact that KTM took Dani Pedrosa is very positive, and especially that he accepted the challenge.
“It’s not easy for a driver to stop racing like that from one day to the next. I experienced this personally, but I was lucky enough to be able to stay in the paddock and continue to live my passion. »
How are the next Valencia tests with Johann Zarco on the KTM?
“KTM continues to work methodically. Whether Johann arrives or not, we follow our program with the pieces to try and the development. We can't wait for him to give us his opinion of course, but we can't say that we're revolutionizing things because he's coming, it's just a continuation of the current work. »
KTM and Aprilia are only separated by 2 points in the Manufacturers' World Championship standings (56 for the Austrians and 54 for the Italians). Will it be hot in Valencia?
“Ah yes, because obviously everyone wants to finish ahead of the other, even if it’s not for a World Champion title. Pol will be at home in Spain and he will want to finish the year well, especially since in the last races, with injuries and bad tire choices, he did not really achieve the results he hoped for. I think that in Valencia he will give everything.
“Bradley is also going to give everything because it’s his last race on the KTM. He wants to do well. He wants to be in front of Pol, despite everything (smile), because even if they get along really well with each other, there is still inevitably a certain rivalry. KTM will definitely give everything to finish ahead of Aprilia. And I think it's the same thing on the other side. »
Especially since you have an Espargaro at KTM and an Espargaro at Aprilia.
“Yes, plus the two risk coming face to face. As it says in the question, it's going to be hot! »
Photos © Michelin / and Gold and Goose for KTM
