It is with satisfaction and filled with the noble feeling of work accomplished that the KTM troops go to Aragon to experience a new Grand Prix. They will hope it is as positive as that experienced in Misano, a week earlier. It must be said that the second place on the starting grid taken by Pol Espargaró who came very close to the top position on a dry track galvanized the RC16 crew who did not want to come down from their cloud...
KTM rolls towards Spain and its Aragon Grand Prix still inhabited by the charm of Misano. It must be said that the last San Marino Grand Prix was more than positive for the Austrian brand. The official team is galvanized by its latest appearance, as confirmed by the team manager Mike leitner : " the weekend was great for us » summed up the Red Bull KTM team manager about Misano.
This thirteenth meeting of the season also marked the 50e KTM Grand Prix at this level. A milestone which was worthily celebrated with the second phase of Pol Espargaro at the end of qualifying, followed by his seventh place in the race. On their side, Johann zarco finished eleventh and Syahrin brought back the point from fifteenth position. Alone Olive tree missing due to a fall. But the Portuguese, diminished by an injured shoulder, made a point of getting back on his RC16 to finish the race sixteenth.
« We took another step forward with our bike and brought both riders into Q2 " precise Leitner. " For the first time we went to the front line in dry conditions. Since Brno we have been working hard to get new parts and improve the lap time. It seems we have made progress in Misano. »
The best result KTM in the dry, which is a 6th place at Le Mans taken by Pol, was certainly not achieved. However, this is the ninth top 10. Seven were collected by Pol Espargaro, one by zarco and one by Olive tree for the current season: “ the data showed that it was realistic to finish between 6th and 8th place. We did it. We are very happy with another single-digit result, that was our goal: to reach the top 10. »
Leitner continues: “ our opponents are getting stronger and stronger, the bikes and riders are very strong in the leading group, but we fought with Rins, winner of the last Grand Prix, and with Dovizioso. I think we should be proud. The people at the factory are pushing hard and we are moving in the right direction. »
« I would also like to mention Johann, who fought after the fall in the warm-up, and Hafizh, who collected points for the second time in a row. Too bad Miguel fell, but he continued and finished the race » added the Red Bull KTM team manager.
