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.
Hafizh Syahrin will be hoping his new KTM MotoGP machine performs as well as it looks. Speaking at his local Sepang circuit on Thursday, the Malaysian - remaining with Tech3 but switching from Yamaha to KTM for his second season in the premier-class - said:
This year's Sepang MotoGP Shakedown test is being held slightly later than usual, from February 1-3. That means it falls outside of the winter test ban, from December 1 to January 31.
Pol Espargaro has a simple aim for the MotoGP off-season: "Heal up". The Red Bull KTM rider suffered a hernia in his vertebra during a 250km/h fall at the very first test of the year, in Sepang, also ruling him out of the Thai test.
With pre-season testing preparations being finalised and targets being drawn up for the 2019 MotoGP world championship, Crash.net looks over what key objectives each manufacturer will be desperate to get right.
Having celebrated sixth in the MotoGP championship, three podiums and two pole positions with Johann Zarco during its final season with Yamaha, Tech3 dropped to the tail of the timesheets during the start of its new partnership with KTM.
Nasser Al-Attiyah has retained a healthy Dakar Rally lead despite conceding victory on stage six to closest rival Sebastien Loeb after going astray from his route towards the finish.
Not long after 15.30 on a rainy autumn afternoon outside Valencia, the curtain came down on one of modern grand prix racing’s more distinguished careers. Come the evening of November 18 th , Dani Pedrosa was reflecting on the last of his 289 grand prix in a stellar 18-year career.
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.
KTM team boss Mike Leitner is convinced Dani Pedrosa can help the factory achieve that crucial “next step” in MotoGP, and dismissed concerns the Spaniard’s weight could make him ineffective in a testing capacity.
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.
KTM, MotoGP's newest manufacturer, is 'proud' to have secured the services of 54-time grand prix winner Dani Pedrosa as its new test rider. After 18 years on Honda machinery in the 125cc, 250cc and MotoGP classes, Pedrosa competed in his final race at Valencia in November.
Pol Espargaro was satisfied with his pace on used tyres during the final MotoGP test of the year at Jerez, but the KTM rider could only go a few tenths faster with a new soft rear tyre.
Andrea Dovizioso has become the latest name tempted into an F1-MotoGP switch following Marc Marquez and Lewis Hamilton trying new disciplines this year – La Gazzetta dello Spo
The timesheets didn’t’ bear it out, but Johann Zarco insisted he was content with his progress aboard KTM’s RC16 and more comfortable with the machine’s front end after ending the first day of MotoGP testing with the 19 th fastest time.
Amid the buzz and excitement of new machinery, teams and personnel, Johann Zarco was arguably the rider wearing a most pained expression at the end of the second day of MotoGP testing, stating his experiences with KTM’s RC16 were “worse than expected.”
Johann Zarco has given his first impressions of KTM’s RC16 MotoGP racer, as the Frenchman rode to the 17 th fastest time in the first day of MotoGP testing at Valencia.
Miguel Oliveira says discovering the braking power and style in MotoGP has been the biggest lesson learnt on his opening day of winter testing with the new-look KTM Tech3 Racing squad.
Pol Espargaro says he's more emotional and satisfied by securing his and Red Bull KTM’s first-ever MotoGP podium than his previous race wins and world title given the fight to reach it in the premier class.