Alongside a MotoGP test which proved very promising, Ktm conducted a test of its Moto3s in Jerez with Nicolo Bulega, Efren Vazquez and Maria Herrera, Thursday and Friday of last week.
Each of the three test drivers was able to complete a number of laps equal to the distance of a GP weekend, which allowed the technicians to refine certain things.
Christian Korntner (Moto3 project manager) confirmed that this test advantageously replaced the one in Brno in April, which was made very unproductive due to the weather: "At départ , nous avions Nicolo Bulega et Philipp Öttl comme pilotes d’essais à Brno, mais à cause de la limite sur les tests, Maria Herrera et son équipe ont cette fois rejoint Nicolò à Jerez. Cela s’est turned out to be a good choice. We also made a deal with Efren Vazquez, and although he hasn't been on a Moto3 for a year and a half, and is also injured, he has been in able to share with us feelings and very professional comments, thanks to his many years ofexpérience. “
The test team mainly tried parts relating to chassis performance for the 2017 Evolution, but the test drivers were also able to positively evaluate a few engine components.
This season, the Ktm Moto3 riders take the advantage over their Honda comrades, with Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) leading with 147 points, 44 points ahead of his closest rival, Jorge Navarro, who has also just been injured and will be out of Assen.
The South African driver has won three times and has never been off the podium this year.
Christian Korntner has confirmed that Brad Binder and a second test rider yet to be chosen will conduct further Moto3 testing, at Misano, later in the year.
© Sebas Romero KTM Media Library
