The 16, 4 and 2017 KTM RC2018 V2019s behaved like most V4-equipped MotoGP prototypes: fast through corners, fast out of corners, but really difficult to take in the middle of them. This is what bothered Johann Zarco in 2019: being able to turn this bike.
This year's RC16 is nothing like previous versions. “It’s like another world,” says Brad Binder. Whether it was Brad Binder or Pol Espargaró, the official KTM riders had a pace close to that of the winner in each of the first four races of the year. At both Jerez rounds, Binder's speed was impressive, at Brno, where he won, and at the Red Bull Ring, where Espargaró led the race until it was interrupted by a red flag. The Spaniard could perhaps have repeated in the second race, but he had exhausted his allocation of medium tires, so he had to use a soft pad, which didn't give him the grip he wanted.
The secret of the 16 RC2020 is the speed allowed by the power of its V4 engine – the machine was the second fastest MotoGP on Sunday, as it was flashed at 313,5km/h, and returned only 1km/h to the Ducati, renowned for being the fastest in the field. But what made the difference for KTM was its cornering speed, which was similar to that of the in-line 4-cylinder, generally more manageable.
“Normally, with this type of engine, the bike has less cornering speed”, Espargaró said this weekend. “We have to break down our turn like a V: get to the top of the line, rotate the bike and then use the power to get out of it quickly and straighten it out. But now we have a very good feeling with the front, which allows us to release the brake a little earlier than before, position the bike where we want it and thus have more speed in the corners . It's really nice. »
If the RC16 continues to allow its riders to use more cornering speed in future races, we'll have to assume that KTM has managed to solve the conundrum that has so far eluded Ducati and Honda: how to turn a MotoGP equipped with a V4? The answer isn't just a question of chassis. As usual, it will be a combination of factors: getting the right chassis, but also the right dynamics of the bike when cutting off the throttle and the right engine braking strategies, so that the riders can pass with peace of mind. around corners with extra speed.
Expect to see plenty of Ducati and Honda engineers examining every facet of the RC16's on-track performance in upcoming races, to try and understand what the Austrians did.
