KTM: Clutch caused Espargaro's smoky exit

KTM has revealed that a clutch problem initiated Pol Espargaro's smoky exit from Sunday's Austin MotoGP.

The Spaniard, who claimed the new team's best yet finish with 14th in Argentina, was running in 18th place - ahead of team-mate Bradley Smith and Aprilia's Sam Lowes - when he was forced to retire.

Team Manager Mike Leitner said: "Pol had an issue with the clutch, which caused an oil leak and this is why the engine was smoking."

"We started to feel this problem with the clutch in the second lap," Espargaro revealed. "I was not fast enough in the straights and in some corners the front was shaking quite a lot.

"Honestly the guys put in a big effort this weekend with the new fairing, and they didn't get much sleep. We were really unlucky today. I don't know what we could have done, but maybe it would have been possible to take a point.

"We will have some new parts to test in Le Mans and after that we race in Jerez, where we have already been with the KTM. I feel something good is coming but we need to be patient."

Smith, who also scored a point in Argentina, went on to finish in 16th place.

"I was a bit nervous when I saw Pol's bike smoking and after that, I just tried to look after the bike and the tyres to get some important information for the team," Smith said.