Little by little, KTM continues the development of its RC16 to gain the last second that separates it from the best level.
This does not (yet?) involve spectacular fins or any other revolutionary solution, rather through patient work in all areas, as confided Mike leitner, the team manager of the MotoGP team: “Overall, we brought the same bike as at the end of last year. But of course we have new ideas, some of which we have already tried in Jerez in November. We need to try these parts again here and we'll see what we remember. At the end of 2017 our bike already had a certain level of performance, but it was clear that it was not enough. We're not in a situation where we have a very positive point and a very negative point, and, at the moment, the bike is quite well balanced. We work in all areas and the factory has some good ideas which we present to the drivers. Externally there are only small details you can see. »
Pol Espargaro finished in tenth place during the first day of testing at Sepang, losing 1,1 seconds in the best time to Dani Pedrosa: “We are quite satisfied. It's good that we can pick up where we left off in Valencia, in the top 10. Of course, it was only the first day of testing, but I feel very comfortable with our machine. It is important. The bike is not that different from Valencia because we don't have as many new parts as other manufacturers. We continue on the basis of the Valencia Grand Prix machine. Since the Sepang test last year we have made a lot of progress. We now have a new fairing with bulges like fins. In addition, we worked a lot on electronics. »
Indeed, with a time of 2'00.568, the Spanish driver gained a second compared to last year's test, but it should be noted that today he was 3 tenths slower than his best time during the last Grand Prix in Malaysia. It's only the first day...
His teammate, Bradley Smith, gives him half a second and ends this first day in 17th position: “The first day was very positive. We carried out our plan, although the rain cost us time in the morning. I've tried all three bikes so the guys have an idea of which way to go. The 2018 bike is definitely going in the right direction. Our plan is vast. We have a lot to do. We need to feel comfortable on the bike first, then we can improve the times. »
MotoGP #Sepang test J.1: Chronos
1. Dani Pedrosa, Honda, 1:59,427 min
2. Andrea Dovizioso, Ducati, +0,343 sec
3. Jorge Lorenzo, Ducati, +0,375
4. Danilo Petrucci, Ducati, +0,696
5. Jack Miller, Ducati, 0,751
6. Valentino Rossi, Yamaha, +0,806
7. Marc Marquez, Honda, +0,863
8. Johann Zarco, Yamaha, +0,994
9. Cal Crutchlow, Honda, +1,095
10. Pol Espargaro, KTM, +1,141
11. Alex Rins, Suzuki, +1,200
12. Takaaki Nakagami, Honda, +1,237
13. Maverick Vinales, Yamaha, +1,287
14. Aleix Espargaro, Aprilia, +1,439
15. Tito Rabat, Ducati, +1,485
16. Andrea Iannone, Suzuki, +1,600
17. Bradley Smith, KTM, +1,672
18. Franco Morbidelli, Honda, +1,734
19. Álvaro Bautista, Ducati, +2,301
20. Sylvain Guintoli, Suzuki, +2,437
21. Scott Redding, Aprilia, +2,535
22. Yonny Hernandez, Yamaha, +2,626
23. Karel Abraham, Ducati, +2,661
24. Xavier Siméon, Ducati, +3,519
25. Tom Lüthi, Honda, +4,305
26. Michele Pirro, Ducati, +5,340
27. Mika Kallio, KTM, +6,505
