It is an established fact that between the factory KTM and its official pilot Johann zarco, new arrival this year, we will have to establish the technical bases for a fruitful collaboration. For the moment, everyone seems to be sticking to their positions. With the results that we know... From the next meeting in Jerez, the RC16 should experience a significant evolution with new parts. But we do not know what their effects will be on the Frenchman who demands profound things. Pit Beirer, the sports man in Mattighofen, takes stock and sets the moment of truth: the French Grand Prix.
At KTM, we have a bike that likes to be whipped and that's a joy for an attacker born of the caliber of Pol Espargaro. You have to go into combat with the RC16, a particularity also noted by Miguel Oliveira who notes that piloting at the Marc Marquez adopted with the Honda is a solution for making a time.
Certainly, but it is exactly the opposite of the philosophy of a Johann zarco or Dani Pedrosa which favors fluidity rather than sharpening turns. Unfortunately, due to the difficulties of the first which the success of the teammate exacerbates and the convalescence of the recruited test rider, it is not finesse which takes the advantage in the development of the Austrian motorcycle...
Hence a tension between the team and its double Moto2 World Champion rider, trained in MotoGP by the docile Yamaha. However, KTM will make the effort, as stated Pit Beirer on speedweek : " we haven't had the chance to test many things in recent weeks. We were under pressure from the races and the testing sessions. But we now have room to maneuver with the possibility of testing ».
« We are going to offer significant pieces that move us away from what we have been used to doing until now. What Johann wants cannot be found in any drawer of our trucks. But we really need to change a few things. It's all a matter of swing length and steering head angle. We must intervene massively on the motorcycle. Production of these components is underway ».
He finishes : " we will offer these parts to Johann in Jerez for testing. We hope that we will find good direction for him at the latest for his home Grand Prix at Le Mans in mid-May ". Which also means that without a major change in the results after this date, other questions will arise.
