“Impressive” KTM can target top-fives in 2018 - Espargaro
Pol Espargaro believes KTM can target top-five finishes in its sophomore MotoGP season, the manufacturer having become a regular top-10 presence in its rookie campaign.
MotoGP 2018
MotoGP 2018
KTM has had at least one bike in the top 10 in six of the last eight races, with Espargaro backing up a run to ninth place at Phillip Island with 10th last time out at Sepang.
It means the Spaniard now lies 16th in the points, between Suzuki pair Andrea Iannone and Alex Rins, while KTM finds itself tied with Aprilia for fifth in the manufacturers’ standings with a race to go.
Espargaro said that KTM has achieved its initial goal of breaking into the top 10 sooner than it anticipated, and that the Austrian marque can now set its sights on scoring even better results next year.
“At the beginning of the year our target was to finish in the top 10 in one race, and finish in the points some races,” said Espargaro. “Already we have done some top 10s and we are fighting for the top 10 in all the races.
"It’s impressive where we have arrived. Maybe we didn’t expect at the beginning because we started at the back, but we are in between the Suzukis [in the points], very close to Aprilia.
“In the first year, for a factory like KTM that has never been in the MotoGP world, this is impressive.
“I’m looking forward to when KTM brings new pieces next year, because I think it’s going to be another big step in front. The next step is the top five.”
Espargaro "happy" to keep Smith as teammate
Espargaro added he was pleased to see teammate Bradley Smith keep his ride for 2018 despite strong rumours he could be replaced by test rider Mika Kallio amid a poor run of results for the Briton.
“This was the plan at the beginning [for KTM to keep Smith]," said Espargaro. "We have been already together a lot of years, I have a very good relationship with Bradley.
“I think Bradley is a good rider, I'm happy he continues with this team. I’m happy that we can develop together this bike, because the future looks shining. We’ll see what we can do together.
“Finally Bradley found something in Phillip Island, I’m happy he’s fast, this makes also be faster because I have a teammate who is pushing.”
Additional reporting by Scherazade Mulia Saraswati
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