In recent days there has been a lot of talk about Jorge Lorenzo's return to Yamaha as a test rider. He is said to have already been tempted by a race, and we can only congratulate Yamaha for its choices in terms of riders in recent times. That being said, it's a bit quick to forget KTM which has another illustrious retiree in its Mattighofen lair. But he is discreet and focuses entirely on the RC16 project, only thinking about making it progress in the shadows. However, when he has the opportunity to talk, he reminds himself of who he is. It was Dani Pedrosa who set the third fastest time at the end of the second of three days of testing at Sepang. Of course, he had soft tires, but still...
fabio quartararo impressed this Saturday at Sepang by confirming its velocity on a Yamaha 2020 that he was just discovering. Jack Miller scored more points at Ducati, but it was the name of the third man that aroused great interest. Because this is the test pilot Dani Pedrosa, who positioned his KTM in the leading trio, only 90 thousandths behind the French leader.
Dani Pedrosa did not want to comment on this first-rate performance: “ no, I'm sorry, I'm not making a statement “, apologized the Red Bull KTM test rider. The director of KTM Motorsport, Pit Beirer, had nevertheless warned from Valencia: “ Dani is driving better and better, he is going faster and faster… » This assertion was confirmed last week during the shakedown in Malaysia. And even more this Saturday.
« Dani drove with the new soft tires ", declared the team leader of Pol Espargaro, Paul Trevathan. “ But you still have to do a ride like this… This guy can still ride a motorcycle. Dani is motivated. You can see it ! » Pol Espargaro achieved his eighth best time on racing tires, while the drivers in front of him almost exclusively achieved their performance on soft compounds.
Mike leitner, race director of the KTM MotoGP project, was satisfied: “ I was Dani's team leader for eleven years. I can assess their skills and abilities well ", has explained Leitner. " It's impressive that he's pushing so hard on this project. You have to take into account that the drivers in front all took the soft tires. Pol Espargaró decided not to do so. Dani and Pol are really moving our project forward in further development. Miguel Oliveira is also getting better and better. He now does very good analyses. Dani has great experience. »
When he signed KTM, Dani Pedrosa made it clear that he no longer wanted to compete in races. With this feat, will he continue in this abstinence?
« Only Dani can answer this question " answers
Leitner. " He doesn't give interviews either. He told us: "I've given so many interviews in my life and I've always had to justify myself for something." As a test rider, he wants to leave that aside, because a Honda test rider isn't questioned either, he says. It’s okay for us, we respect that. »
« If he wanted to drive in a Grand Prix, he would say something. I know it and I don't expect it. But of course, he appreciates setting such a time. We also like the fact that a KTM can do a 1'58,6 min! And Pol ran in less than 1'59 min for the first time today. We can therefore say that we have taken a step forward. But how far it will take us in the race is the whole question. »
Leitner continues on Speedweek: “ we know Dani's abilities. If he wanted to do a full season in MotoGP with us, we certainly wouldn't dissuade him. As a test driver he does a huge job for us. Dani gives incredible input especially to the technicians. We have Pol on one side, who was still the best today. And as a test pilot we have Dani, who is really an asset to our project. »
MotoGP Test Sepang J2: times
