Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

Australia
Breaking news

KTM should be "really proud" of first MotoGP season so far

KTM should be "really proud" of what it has achieved in the first half of its maiden season in MotoGP, according to Pol Espargaro.

Pol Espargaro, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing

Pol Espargaro, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing

Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

Pol Espargaro, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
Bradley Smith, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
Kallio, Bradley Smith, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
Pol Espargaro, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
Pol Espargaro, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
Pol Espargaro, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
Pol Espargaro, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
Bradley Smith, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
Bradley Smith, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
Bradley Smith, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing

The Austrian manufacturer made its full-time debut in the premier class at the start of 2017, scoring its first points in the second race of the campaign in Argentina.

Since then, it has scored points in four more races, helped by the introduction of a 'big-bang' style engine in time for the Jerez round, Espargaro delivering its best result so far by finishing 11th in Assen.

KTM lies at the foot of the teams' standings on 22 points, 12 behind rival factory Aprilia, at the mid-point of the season, while Espargaro and teammate Bradley Smith are 20th and 21st respectively in the riders' championship.

"For sure we've had more bad moments than good moments, but this is normal with a project like this one, starting from zero," said Espargaro.

"We have finished in this position after just half a season. We know how to improve the bike, and we've just started. It's the beginning of this project and we have to be really proud of what we are doing.

"We need to keep pushing, and we need to improve a little more the bike."

Asked how much the RC16 had changed since he first rode it in post-season Valencia testing last November, Espargaro replied: "Just looking and working, the bike is super-different.

"It's much different to ride than in Valencia, and for the mechanics also to repair, for the electronics to set up the bike. If we keep up this progression by the Valencia race it will be a completely different bike.

"I hope that this progression is going like this, we can be in the top 10 fighting in some races."

Aragon test

KTM has a two-day test scheduled at Aragon on Thursday and Friday for both Espargaro and Smith, as well as test rider Mika Kallio, who made a wildcard appearance in last weekend's Sachsenring race.

Smith says improving the RC16's turning ability will be at the top of the agenda at Aragon.

"I think all three riders are working on [turning], and we'll continue to try to figure out what we need from the motorcycle to be able to do it," said the British rider.

"For all three riders it's on top of our priority list to get a grip on, and that will be the main target of the Aragon test, to get something a little bit stronger for part two [of the season]."

Smith, who followed Espargaro home to finish the most recent Sachsenring race in 14th, added he hoped he could fight for such results more regularly after the summer break.

"Generally really happy [with the year so far], if we could start battling for those type of results week in week out in part two that would be awesome," he said.

Additional reporting by Toni Boerner

Be part of Motorsport community

Join the conversation
Previous article Folger says Sachsenring star showing will be no one-off
Next article Vinales: Yamaha getting "less and less" power with electronics

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

Australia