For the first time since 1982, MotoGP is returning to Finland to race at the purpose-built KymiRing in the latest expansion to the sport’s horizons as organisers look to old and new destinations.
Marc Marquez has the opportunity to close out a perfect MotoGP campaign in 2019 if he can help Repsol Honda seal the world teams’ title and duly complete its Triple Crown.
On a dire opening day for all KTM riders at Sepang, both Pol Espargaro and Mika Kallio concede their team will need extreme setup changes to close the performance gap to the front-runners having seen its testing pace at the Malaysian track disappear.
Pol Espargaro fears Red Bull KTM’s charge at the Japanese MotoGP is restrained by the cooler conditions compared to its rivals as poor weather takes hold at Motegi.
Red Bull KTM team manager Mike Leitner has explained why the factory reluctantly decided to replace Johann Zarco for the remaining rounds of the 2019 MotoGP season.
After a wet Monday, the first dry MotoGP laps of the new KymiRing circuit were held during the final day of testing in Finland. Test riders from all six manufacturers were present this week to gather data on the new venue, which is set for a mid-summer place on the 2020 calendar.
The Red Bull KTM squad has resumed in-season testing with a two-day programme at Le Mans with both Pol Espargaro and Johann Zarco in action alongside test rider Mika Kallio, while Dani Pedrosa remains out of action due to his surgery over the winter.
Dani Pedrosa has undergone stem cell surgery on his right collarbone and is expected to be out of action for three months to recover from the operation.
It was a day of numbers for KTM MotoGP test rider Mika Kallio at the start of the Sepang Shakedown, as he debuted the #66 in place of his usual 36 and took to the track with seven different machines.
Dani Pedrosa has been ruled out of MotoGP testing action for KTM as he prepares to undergo a stem cell surgery on a double collarbone fracture which has recently been detected.
After a stunning first year in MotoGP, KTM was forced into a reality check in 2018, as it didn’t quite match the lofty expectations it set itself back in March. Injuries had a good deal to with it, and with this in mind, one of the year’s more intriguing signings took place.
As expected, Mika Kallio has extended his MotoGP testing contract with KTM for 2019. The Finn, currently sidelined by serious right-knee ligament damage at the Sachsenring, will thus remain part of the team for a fourth season.
Red Bull KTM test rider Mika Kallio has been ruled out of the remainder of the German MotoGP weekend after damaging ligaments in his right knee during a scary accident in Friday afternoon practice.
KTM hasn't had much to celebrate on track in MotoGP so far this season, but Pol Espargaro gave the Austrian factory a shot in the arm by setting the third fastest time (+0.043s) in opening practice for the Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez.