In 2017, there will be a new manufacturer on the MotoGP starting grid: KTM. After tests and full-scale maneuvers against the competition in Valencia, the brand will begin its first official season among the elite of motorcycle speed. His weapon, the RC16, on which there is still a lot to do. In fact, it is the general mobilization in Mattighofen, explained by Bradley Smith returning from Jerez.
Un Rock as reinforcement, a Smith at work and a Pol Espargaro banned from the handlebars because of his current Yamaha contract but definitely present on the side of the track to deliver his analyses, it's nothing to say that teamwork is not a notion taken lightly at KTM: “ we will all stick together because we need to test and experience everything we can try on the bike in order to make it as competitive as possible » explains Smith on crash.net.
« Relations between Pol and Mika are very close. We know that we are working on a very important project and that we need the skills of everyone in the team. Everything is in our hands and we are all working in the same direction. The three of us are united and that's important ».
And what does that look like on the ground? Bradley Smith finished his work in Jerez twentieth with a modest time of 1'41.621, almost three seconds from the best time which caused a sensation: that of Rea on the Kawasaki Superbike. It is also a performance of a little more than a second worse than that of Rock which claims a 1'40.505. What to worry about? “ We had a lot to test and I'm the type of rider who needs to ride a lot to figure out which way to go. We tried a lot of things and nothing was decisive for setting times but we have a large amount of data which will be useful to the engineers ».
« With Mika Kallio, we exchange our ideas and put them into practice. His path is different but our performances are close. He works on the back and I on the front. We have a tubular steel frame and WP suspensions and it's a high-performance package. We are working on the height, the weight distribution, and I am happy with the engine braking. We need to make progress in the area of transmission. We are also focused on engine power and traction control ».
« This may seem tedious and it's far from chasing the clock, but it's the kind of approach that pays off in the long run. We will reap the benefits in the coming months. I know that everyone is doing a superb job and what they have already accomplished has led to great progress. ».
