Jerez was a special deadline for a KTM factory which announced its plans for the future, including showing a new version of its RC16 made available to the test rider and, for once, invited Mika Kallio. Overall, only good things. But there is a collateral consequence. The prospects for this motorcycle have been so interesting that the titular spearhead Pol Espargaró no longer has any taste for the motorcycle that the Mattighofen factory is currently making available to him...
The Spanish Grand Prix gave rise to a fratricidal fight between the three KTMs entered in the race. A nice game which ended much better for the orange tunics than for the red suits. But the result left one hungry Pol Espargaro who ultimately had little taste of being beaten by his colleague from the test team, Mika Kallio. The next day, for testing, he discovered the latest opus RC16 and it didn't take him long to form a clear idea:
« Frankly, I don't want to waste any more time with my current bike. I am convinced of the great potential of the news. I drove at least half a second faster with it than with the other on the same track in Jerez. When grip becomes precarious with tire wear, it works much better. I'm very happy with that, even if getting beaten by Mika didn't make me happy. But it's also a sign that good things are coming ».
For when ? The one who has buried his life as a boy with his brother Aleix announcement on Motorsport : " at KTM, they will do everything they can to give it to us in August, for the Austrian Grand Prix ". NOW, Mika Kallio is more reasoned in his analysis: “ at the beginning, during the Grand Prix in Jerez, I suffered more with the fresh tires, but then my pace did not vary, even with the worn tires. So it's positive. But there are also downsides with the new RC16, which need to be worked on. Everything is still new and unknown. But we have more traction when exiting the corner ».
We will follow the evolution of this RC16 all the more as it will, in 2019, be the mount of a certain Johann zarco...
