KTM resumes testing with Espargaro, Pedrosa
KTM has resumed testing for the delayed MotoGP season, with Pol Espargaro and Dani Pedrosa set to undertake two days of running at the Red Bull Ring.
Espargaro and Pedrosa will be the first MotoGP riders to return to track action since the global coronavirus pandemic placed the 2020 campaign on hold on Wednesday and Thursday, taking advantage of KTM's status as a concession manufacturer.
The gradual easing of lockdown restrictions across Europe has allowed the pair to travel from Spain to Austria for their first running since the Qatar test in February.
Test rider Pedrosa is replacing Brad Binder, who is currently in his native South Africa and will not be present for the test.
KTM and Aprilia are the only teams that are permitted to carry out private testing during the season, although they can only use circuits that have not yet been raced on, and no sooner than two weeks before a race takes place at the venue.
With the season on hold until July 19, when the first of two races at Jerez is planned, KTM and Aprilia are essentially only limited by their tyre allocation when it comes to testing.
Aprilia successfully lobbied to be granted an exemption to MotoGP's current engine development freeze, meaning it and fellow concession squad KTM can modify their engines until the revised homologation date of June 29.
However, KTM has pledged that it will not make any further changes to the design it submitted in Qatar, and will instead use the Austria test to hone its chassis and aerodynamic package.
It's also possible that KTM will organise a further test at Brno before the start of the season, while Aprilia, which is prioritising reliability fixes for its all-new 90-degree 2020-spec engine, is also expected to resume running soon.
Share Or Save This Story
Marc Marquez sent body double to Motegi kart race: “We are not here to mess around or drive go karts"
Fermin Aldeguer undergoes surgery to try to speed up recovery ahead of Japanese GP
Did MotoGP make its Brazil return too soon?
Why Dani Pedrosa won't replace Maverick Vinales at Le Mans, despite his form
Dani Pedrosa reveals the ‘crazy’ training that helped him master wet MotoGP races
Dani Pedrosa reflects on ‘Fantastic Five’: ‘In Stoner I saw things I simply couldn't do’
Pedro Acosta: “Strange” problem caused first tough MotoGP race in a “long time”
Maverick Vinales: “I don't understand what KTM wants from me”
Pedro Acosta may not win a MotoGP race on a KTM - and that’s not a failure
Redemption at Road Atlanta: Kevin Estre breaks IMSA victory curse in thrilling Petit Le Mans finish
Winners and losers from an intriguing NASCAR Cup race at Las Vegas
Toyota explains how a photographer helped secure dramatic Fuji WEC win
Can Red Bull now fight for wins everywhere? "It's difficult to be on par with Mercedes consistently"
Five things we learned from MotoGP Japanese GP after tyre drama
How to make two MotoGP grids with a single qualifying session
What we learned from an emotional MotoGP Austrian Grand Prix
Are Aprilia riders making it too easy for Marc Marquez to win the 2026 MotoGP title?
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments