Wheels turn for 2022 MotoGP™ in Jerez with final test of the year 2021 IRTA test, Circuito de Jerez - Angel Nieto Less than a week after the final round of the 2021 MotoGP series at Valencia, the entire grid reassembled for two days of crucial testing work with a view to the new season starting in March 2022. Sunshine and decent temperatures but in windy conditions enabled productive laps of the Grand Prix site in Andalusia. The engine development ‘freeze’ that was implemented through the course of the 2020 pandemic had been removed and KTM was one of the five brands running through components and theories for technical improvements.   As is the norm in the tight MotoGP testing schedule, KTM spun through a range of experiments involving engine, electronics and chassis and suspension modifications as well as new aerodynamic packages. Binder and Oliveira led the brunt of the work with official test riders Dani Pedrosa and Mika Kallio also totaling plenty of track mileage. In the Tech3 garage, Moto2 World Champion Remy Gardner and runner-up Raul Fernandez continued their acclimatization after graduating from the intermediate class and the Red Bull KTM Ajo squad to their new crews and technical briefs.   Although lap-times were not a priority, Binder and Oliveira both hovered around the top ten and clocked more than 200 laps. Fernandez and Gardner also accrued a similar amount – the Australian circulating Jerez the most from the KTM collective on day two – and were both less than two seconds from the quickest effort.   MotoGP will gather again on February 5th at the Sepang International Circuit for next pre-season test.   Access the full gallery of 2021 Jerez IRTA test images HERE   Brad Binder: “Today was busy! We tried many things and tried different set-ups and a couple of different parts. We found some that were quite good: a different fairing and that had some positives but also negatives. Overall, some good information for the team to keep working and come back to us with something for the Sepang test.”   Miguel Oliveira: “There were a couple of things today where we needed some conclusions and it’s clear that - at the moment - we don’t have a final package to put together. We’ve tested different components at different times and the team worked a lot today. Everyone was tireless to get the maximum out of each run and each piece we tried and, hopefully, with this information the factory will be able to make some significant changes for the current bike and we’ll get closer to that final package in Sepang. These two days were quite tough in terms of conditions so the lap-times don’t really reflect our work and potential. Hopefully we’ll be able to do it better in February.”   Remy Gardner: “For sure, it’s been a tough two days, physically mainly and also I was trying to learn the bike but I had a lot of fun and step-by-step we are getting to understand it better and every time we improved quite a bit. The lap time for us wasn’t really the main goal here, it was just understanding the bike, working with used tyres and trying to understand the traction control and wheelie control, basically all the electronics, plus the power, ride height systems, brakes and everything else. I had a good time and by the end of the day today, I had everything a bit more under control. With these ribs, I’m obviously quite sore, so I didn’t ride to my best abilities, but I just wanted to get some more laps in.”   Raul Fernandez: "My second day was very positive. We kept on learning about the MotoGP category. I am very happy with the bike. Today, we rode a lot of laps with used tyres and I was competitive. I also tried to do one lap with a soft tyre and I ended up really close to the other riders. I already cannot wait to go to Sepang for the winter tests next year. I will make sure to train hard this winter in order to gain muscle and get stronger because this bike is very demanding physically."   Mike Leitner, Red Bull KTM Race Manager: “This two-day test gave us the chance to check material we’d tried during the season but not been 100% sure about, also a lot of new stuff! So, it has been a busy time and both Brad and Miguel had to go through a lot of items. A big thanks to them and to the team for all their hard work because I think we found some interesting directions. We leave happy. Of course, we also had Raul and Remy testing for the second time and to get their impressions and comments was very interesting. Their talent is very clear. They already understand quite a lot of things on these bikes. Dani and Mika were here with the test team and helped us a lot so a big thanks to the whole group and the company that is pushing to evolve the bike. There have been a lot of things and some clever ideas. We’re happy and looking forward to the next test in Sepang.” Sebastian Risse, Technical Coordinator MotoGP: “Our new season has just begun! We had two intense days here in Jerez and with two new riders in our line-up. This was a good start and we still need to work a lot to integrate them into this class and to explore the bike and their abilities. With our two more experienced riders we focused on a lot of different development areas. We had new ideas and components in practically every area of the bike. Some we already tested in the previous IRTA session in Misano. There are also a lot of things coming over from the test team to the race team and luckily with good conditions we could get a lot done. As always, we are far from ticking all the boxes but we made some improvements and we know what we want to work-on over the winter. We will have a good plan ready for Sepang.” Results MotoGP Jerez IRTA test 2021 Combined times 1. Francesco Bagnaia (ITA), Ducati 1:36.872 2. Takaaki Nakagami (JPN) Honda +0.441 3. Fabio Quartararo (FRA) Yamaha +0.452 4. Johann Zarco (FRA) Ducati +0.484 5. Enea Bastianini (ITA), Ducati +0.530 13. Brad Binder (RSA), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing +1.070 16. Miguel Oliveira (POR), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing +1.213 20. Raul Fernandez (ESP), Tech3 KTM Factory Racing +1.819 22. Remy Gardner (AUS), Tech3 KTM Factory Racing +1.856 Contact: Press & PR Manager Sebastian Kuhn +43 676 599 0084 sebastian.kuhn@ktm.com