Miguel Oliveira is now the designated leader of the KTM troops since Pol Espargaró left for Honda. A legitimate status because it is based on a track record which gives him two victories with the RC16, won last year, that is to say one more than his teammate in the official team Brad Binder. Incidentally, with recruit Petrucci at Tech3, the Austrian firm presents a solid group of riders since the Italian won on two occasions on the Ducati. Talents that will be very useful. The Portuguese indeed points out that if the RC16 is fast, finding the right tuning requires work...
Miguel Oliveira says it: pilot a KTM latest generation gives possibilities of good results. But before getting to that, we need to look at its case during testing. On Motorsport-total, the Portuguese reports thus: “ it definitely takes more time to get the best out of it, because first we need to find a base with the bike ».
You must therefore not lose a single turn. However, with a 2020 season offering double-hit possibilities on the same track and in a period where KTM still benefited from concession points in the regulations, the mission was less complicated. What will it be this year when KTM will have to comply with reduced tests while, at the moment, the calendar once again offers a tour around the world with only one meeting at one site?
« I don't think this has anything to do with testing », reassures the pilot born in 1995 and with a career closely linked to KTM. “ We were at tracks like Misano, where we tested a lot and it wasn't so clear that this was the only reason we had an advantage ».
Oliveira is more than confident about the potential of the KTM
Miguel Oliveira celebrated two victories with KTM during the 2020 MotoGP season: at Spielberg 2 and during his home race at Portugal. Apart from that, the Portuguese placed six times in the top 6 in 14 races of the season, and he finished in ninth place in the championship. “ JHe thinks our bike has a lot of potential and we can achieve significantly better results with the same package. We just need a little more time to fully develop this potential. Racing experience on different tracks will help us take this step moving forward ».
Note that the Portuguese is talking about racing and not about tests which are certainly a good thing but… “ These are just tests. You don't have as many drivers on the track that you can directly compare yourself to, nor do you have the same conditions », Explains the driver of the Austrian brand.
« Testing is good, but it doesn't give you that little extra that a race weekend gives you in terms of performance " finished Olive tree. Many tracks were missing from the 2020 racing calendar, and they are expected to reappear in 2021. For better or worse for KTM?
