KTM can be proud of his first season in MotoGP. The Mattighofen brand has come a long way with its unique RC16 which, one year later, is a subscriber to the top 10 giving right of entry to Q.2. When it’s not outright the top 10 under the checkered flag of a Grand Prix. In Valencia, Pol Espargaró continued his good momentum during the tests which Bradley Smith also appreciated. They are now waiting for their Christmas present: the new engine.
And there is reason to be impatient if we remember the very positive effect on the progress of the machine in orange recorded during the installation of the current mechanics, revealed in Jerez. Since then, we have mainly worked on the chassis and electronics. The official duo finished twelfth and thirteenth on the two days of testing in Valencia.
« This test was very positive »Enthuses Pol Espargaro. " We have still made big progress in terms of general pace, grip and cornering. As soon as we installed the new parts, everything went in the right direction. I couldn't hope for more. Everything will be confirmed next week in Jerez ».
More discreet during the year than the Spaniard, Bradley Smith is no exception: my running pace is now better. I was able to drive faster than during my qualifying for the Grand Prix on this same circuit. We fitted new tires for the afternoon, but on this point we ran out of time. For us, it was more important to evaluate parts than to look for performance. I wanted to do a 1'30, because the bike has the capabilities. The main thing is that we find ourselves fast from the first 2018 Grand Prix in Qatar. The bike can still progress in different areas. I can't wait to check it out, but I also know that the next milestone will be harder ».
A milestone which should lead KTM to knock on the doors of the top 5. It will be recalled that the Austrian firm finished its championship ahead of Aprilia, while in Moto2 it has already demonstrated, with three victories, its know-how...
ValenciaTest MotoGP: Chronos J1/J2
1. Marc Marquez (Honda), 1:30,033 min
2. Maverick Vinales (Yamaha), 1:30,189
3. Johann Zarco (Yamaha), 1:30,389
4. Dani Pedrosa (Honda), 1:30,436
5. Valentino Rossi (Yamaha), 1:30,519
6. Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati), 1:30,534
7. Jack Miller (Ducati), 1:30,635
8. Cal Crutchlow (Honda), 1:30,654
9. Aleix Espargaró (Aprilia), 1:30,756
10. Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati), 1:30,850
11. Andrea Iannone (Suzuki), 1:30,877
12. Pol Espargaro (KTM), 1:31,100
13. Bradley Smith (KTM), 1:31,202
14. Tito Rabat (Ducati), 1:31,386
15. Alex Rins (Suzuki), 1:31,516
16. Danilo Petrucci (Ducati), 1:31,721
17. Franco Morbidelli (Honda), 1:31,786
18. Takaaki Nakagami (Honda), 1,31,867
19. Scott Redding (Aprilia), 1:32,075
20. Karel Abraham, Ducati), 1:32,445
21. Xavier Siméon (Ducati), 1:32,698
22. Takumi Takahashi (Honda), 1:33,569
