After Brad Binder was crowned Moto3 World Champion in 2016 with a 142-point lead, then Nicolo Bulega dominated the final tests in Jerez, the start of the season seemed like a royal road for KTM. Binder finished second in the Qatar Grand Prix last year, but only 0.007 behind winner Niccolo Antonelli. Romano Fenati was fourth and his then teammate Bulega sixth. No one therefore expected to see the first Austrian machine fourth in Doha on Sunday, which is also driven by Gabriel Rodrigo.
The Argentinian, 0.267 behind Fenati's best times, was preceded by three Hondas, while Bulega ranked sixth at 0.396 and Niccolo Antonelli eighth at 0.460. Bo Bendsneyder was a modest thirteenth at 0.649, whileAndrea Migno was in seventeenth place at 0.944. To speak of poor performance for the KTMs would be a bit excessive as the tests did not take place under normal conditions. But the weather was the same for everyone. Christian Korntner, Moto3 project manager at KTM, was a little worried explaining that “ During the Jerez tests we found that when conditions were hot our damping was imperfect. Here overnight we need to make sure we find confidence moving forward, into cooler conditions ". Adapting the suspensions to the Losail track was the challenge of these tests for KTM, and not all teams were able to successfully complete their test program.
Maria Herrera, Gabriel Rodrigo, Juanfran Guevara, Niccolò Bulega, Andrea Migno, Niccolò Antonelli, Bo Bendsneyder, Darryn Binder, Marcos Ramirez and Phillip Oettl.
Nicholas Bulega, who is one of the favorites for the title, admitted that his KTM still had problems: “ We can improve the bike, which was better in Jerez. We still have problems, but we will try to progress during the GP tests ». gabriel rodrigo was the best placed KTM rider with fourth position. For him, " During these three days of testing here in Losail, we had to face difficult weather conditions. The wind was really strong. It was a shame because we only had one good day – the second – to work before the Grand Prix. In any case, these conditions could reappear this week, so perhaps these sessions could ultimately prove useful. We managed to be very competitive: we maintained a good pace and finished fourth, very close to the best. These results are very important, because they give us a safe starting point for the GP. We know we can fight up front. Now we have a few days to rest and then face the first race of the season with energy ».
As for the official team, it would have taken more to disrupt Aki Ajo, the team manager: “After testing in Valencia and Jerez this winter, it was interesting to also be able to test here in Qatar. Although the weather conditions weren't the best, I think we found a pretty good basic setup for the race. We will continue working here next Thursday. »
Niccolo Antonelli, continuing his discovery of the KTM, ranked eighth. According to the Italian, “Overall it went very well. It was very difficult to drive in the wind, but we were able to try some things and I'm happy with the result. When we went out for the last session the weather was too bad, it was impossible to turn and stay on the bike. We are quite consistent, I feel more comfortable in the corners and I think we have improved a lot since the last test. I'm sure we can take a step forward before next Sunday's race. »
To Will Bendsneyder, who are " We had two good nights of testing. We weren't able to achieve the times we usually do here when the conditions are good, but I'm looking forward to the race. I think we have a good basic setup to start the weekend, although we will have to work very hard to improve."
Results of Losail's three-day test:
1- Romano Fenati – Marinelli Rivacold Snipers – Honda NSF250RW – 2’06.690
2- Jorge Martin – Del Conca Gresini Moto3 – Honda NSF250RW – +0.039
3- Aron Canet – Estrella Galicia 0,0 – Honda NSF250RW – + 0.059
4- gabriel rodrigo – RBA BOÉ Racing Team – KTM RC 250 GP – + 0.267
5- Livio Loi – Leopard Racing – Honda NSF250RW – + 0.378
6- Nicholas Bulega – Sky Racing Team VR46 – KTM RC 250 GP – + 0.396
7- Ayumu Sasaki – SIC Racing Team – Honda NSF250RW – + 0.450
8- Niccolo Antonelli – Red Bull KTM Ajo – KTM RC 250 GP – + 0.460
9- Juanfran Guevara – RBA BOÉ Racing Team – KTM RC 250 GP – + 0.472
10 Philipp Ottl – Südmetall Schedl GP Racing – KTM RC 250 GP – + 0.486
11- Jakub Kornfeil – Peugeot MC SaxoPrint – Peugeot GP3-17 – + 0.502
12- John McPhee – British Talent Team – Honda NSF250RW – + 0.637
13 Will Bendsneyder – Red Bull KTM Ajo – KTM RC 250 GP – + 0.649
14- Joan Mir – Leopard Racing – Honda NSF250RW – +0.728
15 Marcos Ramirez – Platinum Bay Real Estate – KTM RC 250 GP – + 0.868
16- Tatsuki Suzuki – Sic 58 Squadra Corse – Honda NSF250RW – + 0.938
17 Andrea Migno – Sky Racing Team VR46 – KTM RC 250 GP – + 0.944
18- Kaito Toba – Honda Team Asia – Honda NSF250RW – + 1.027
19- Jules Danilo – Marinelli Rivacold Snipers – Honda NSF250RW – +1.118
20 Maria Herrera – AGR Team – KTM RC 250 GP – + 1.166
21- Lorenzo Dalla Porta – Aspar Mahindra Moto3 – Mahindra MGP3O – + 1.193
22- Adam Norrodin – SIC Racing Team – Honda NSF250RW – + 1.204
23 Darryn binder – Platinum Bay Real Estate – KTM RC 250 GP – + 1.215
24- Nakarin Atiratphuvapat – Honda Team Asia – Honda NSF250RW – +1.346
25- Tony Arbolino – Sic 58 Squadra Corse – Honda NSF250RW – + 1.347
26- Fabio Di Giannantonio – Del Conca Gresini Moto3 – Honda NSF250RW – + 1.384
27- Albert Arenas – Aspar Mahindra Moto3 – Mahindra MGP3O – + 1.544
28- Manuel Pagliani – CIP Moto – Mahindra MGP3O – + 1.570
29- Marco Bezzecchi – CIP Moto – Mahindra MGP3O – + 1.809
30- Enea Bastianini – Estrella Galicia 0,0 – Honda NSF250RW – + 2.023
31- Patrik Pulkkinen – Peugeot MC SaxoPrint – Peugeot GP3-17 – + 3.818
Reference times:
Test record: 2'05.832 by Livio Loi (Honda RW Racing GP BV) in FP2 in 2016
Lap record: 2'05.862 by Alexis Masbou (Honda Ongetta-Rivacold) in 2014
Photos © Gold & Goose for KTM
