KTM initially thought its MotoGP test programme would be less important in 2019, when the factory will double its presence on the grid to four bikes with the addition of Tech3.
Bradley Smith's early summer announcement that he was contemplating retirement sent tongues wagging, but also set his mind in motion. Is this really what I want?
KTM’s MotoGP team boss Mike Leitner has cast doubts over Pol Espargaro’s participation at the Austrian factory’s home grand prix at Spielberg this weekend, and says he is “99 percent” sure there will be no replacement rider for the event.
Just when he thought questions regarding his future plans were over, Dani Pedrosa was quizzed on 2019 once again with the news that KTM has offered him a role in its MotoGP test team for next year.
Bradley Smith has revealed he is no longer considering retirement as a viable option for the end of the current season as he contemplates options as a MotoGP test rider or a return to the Moto2 class for 2019.
Bradley Smith matched KTM's best result of the season, and his best result of last year on the RC16, with tenth place in Sunday's German MotoGP. The Englishman almost doubled his season points as he finished a safe distance between Tech3 Yamaha riders Johann Zarco and Hafizh Syahrin.
There were contrasting fortunes for the Espargaro brothers during morning warm-up for the German Grand Prix, as Pol took KTM’s RC16 to the fastest time, while a crash for Aleix resulted in a red flag, and a trip to hospital, putting the Aprilia man’s race in some doubt.
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.
There now seems little doubt that an agreement will be reached for the Sepang International Circuit, backed by Petronas, to set-up a new satellite Yamaha MotoGP team in 2019. It's also clear that Dani Pedrosa and Franco Morbidelli are top of the proposed rider list.
After securing his best result of the season in Sunday’s dramatic Moto3 outing, John McPhee pointed to the importance of a one-day test prior to the Grand Prix of Catalunya, where he had the opportunity to try “small, subtle changes” which improved performance.
Sam Lowes believes Sunday’s Moto2 showing at the Circuit of Catalunya displayed the necessary attributes to show he and his Swiss Innovative Investors squad are going “in the right direction” after a tough start to 2018.
It's no secret that Danilo Petrucci and Pramac team-mate Jack Miller lead the list of riders ready to replace Jorge Lorenzo, if the triple MotoGP champion does not renew his contract with Ducati for 2019.
KTM has called the trust shown by Johann Zarco in their plans for MotoGP “a big honour” after months of speculation regarding the Frenchman’s future were put to bed at Jerez, with an announcement confirming he will ride for the Austrian factory alongside Pol Espargaro in 2019 and ’20.
KTM rarely does things by halves. Just four races into 2018, the Austrian factory’s second season in MotoGP, and next year is already firmly in focus. Not only was test rider Mika Kallio on track with a prototype ’19 RC16 at the Spanish Grand Prix.
Hervé Poncharal has claimed Bradley Smith returning to his team in 2019 ‘doesn’t make sense’, and has reiterated his belief that Tech 3 has a role within KTM as a ‘junior MotoGP team’ whereby it will educate younger riders.
The chief executive of Sepang International Circuit has moved to pour cold water on rumours the track is seeking to fund a takeover of an existing MotoGP team for 2019, and said the priority remains for Malaysian rider Hafizh Syahrin to stay with Tech3 for a second successive season.
Having looked longingly across the KTM garage as test rider Mika Kallio gave the '2019 prototype' it's grand prix debut at Jerez, Pol Espargaro was all smiles after getting back on the machine during the Monday test.