We won't be bored at KTM during this 2019 MotoGP season. As since the start of the RC16 project, the work will have been hard in the Mattighofen workshops, but in addition to the technique, this year there will have been stories from the pilots. It all started with the signing of Johann Zarco and then there was the enlistment of Dani Pedrosa. Meanwhile, Tech3 arrived as a satellite team with Oliveira, with Syahrin remaining within the formerly Yamaha-colored walls. The campaign launched like this with Pol Espargaró at the spearhead, and we saw…
In the initial diagram, Pol Espargaro had to continue to whip the RC16 that he has known since its beginnings while Johann zarco brought his sensitivity from elsewhere to make the Austrian machine more user-friendly. A road map also served to Dani Pedrosa behind the scenes.
But the French transplant did not take over Austrian steel trellis frame. So much so that there was rejection. The adventure ended prematurely in the circumstances we know and everyone bounced back in their own way. But the lesson has been learned in high places at KTM. So, Stefan pierer, the CEO of the KTM group, with KTM, Husqvarna, GasGas and WP Suspension, now called “Pierer Mobility”, commented on Speedweek while reviewing the season: “ Zarco was a mistake. there is nothing to add »
To the divorce announced in Austria and desired by John Zarco, followed the legal separation pronounced by Pierre in Misano: “ the Zarco chapter is over », says Stefan Pierer. “ The abrupt separation in Misano was the right choice. Despite difficult circumstances, we behaved very fairly by letting him drive in the last three Grand Prix at the request of Alberto Puig and the LCR team. We paid Zarco all the way to Misano. It was only when he left for a Honda that we didn't pay anything anymore, which makes sense. » It will be recalled that the Frenchman's contract was estimated at 1,8 million euros.
« We decided in Misano to finish the Zarco chapter, because it brought nothing. We looked to the future ", added Hubert Trunkenpolz, member of the board of directors of KTM. A future called Brad Binder et Iker Lecuona which will strengthen Pol Espargaro et Miguel Oliveira in a 2020 season where KTM has promised to provide four identical RC16s to its four riders spread across two teams.
