At KTM, we have a busy schedule. And for good reason, we must make this RC16, spearhead of the brand's project in the posh MotoGP, a machine worthy of the best machines on the grid at the start of the third season. The first was full of satisfaction, but this second is marked by the misfortune of having two pilots in the infirmary, including the one who carried on his shoulders the strategic mission of testing and development. But Mattighofen sports boss Pit Beirer assures us despite everything: the motorcycle Johann zarco is ready.
In MotoGP, the calendar is tight. And it's going fast. So, for this month of August, the major technical options on next season's motorcycles are already almost all set in stone. And for good reason: the parts have to be manufactured. At KTM, the room for maneuver offered by a regulation which gives more freedom in tests and designs to arriving manufacturers, was seriously reduced by the fault of a Mika Kallio immobilized because of a convalescent knee. The Finn had to do five Grands Prix. He did two at Jerez and Catalonia, then got injured at the Sachsenring. He was therefore absent in Austria and he will not be from Aragon.
In the meantime, Randy De Puniet was enlisted. But the Frenchman will have to take over someone else's work at the same time as getting back into rhythm. As for the work, it still seems immense, notably with a new engine. Nevertheless, Pit Beer reassures: “ we do not have the validation by results gleaned in the race, but our 2019 bike is ready ».
Insurance, but also a risk… “ I think she will be quite good and competitive. Certain decisions are very clear to us on what the bike will be next November. If you don't make these decisions, the pieces won't be ready for the offseason. So yes, there is a certain risk and we would like to validate certain things two or three times, but that is not currently possible. So there is no absolute certainty, but it will not change what the bike will look like ».
He finishes : " we don't want to see Johann Zarco testing ten versions of the bike. The goal is to give him a motorcycle and tell him: now you ride and you adjust it to your hand, to your style, like any other motorcycle ».
A challenge. We will recall that since he has been in MotoGP, Johann zarco stood on five podiums and won four pole positions. He will team up with Pol Espargaro while KTM seeks to recruit Dani Pedrosa as a test pilot, or even Jonas Folger or keep Bradley Smith. The Tech3 team will be its satellite team.
