Both KTM MotoGP bikes in top 10 for French Grand Prix

QUALIFYING 5th Rd. MotoGP 2017 – Le Mans (FRA)

MotoGP
In only their fifth MotoGP race weekend of 2017 the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team have taken their best qualifying with an 8th and a 10th place for Pol Espargaro and Bradley Smith after guaranteeing their place in the all important 'Q2' session following brave rides during a damp but drying Free Practice session this morning. Following the introduction of the new 'Big Bang' engine for the Jerez race and further developments tests afterwards, the spirits are high in the KTM garage as both KTM RC16 bikes start the French Grand Prix in the top half of the grid. 


Espargaro: "Honestly I started quite strong as I tried to push from the beginning to see the limit of the bike because we didn't have the opportunity during the weekend to feel what is the limit over one lap. I felt really good with the front feeling here but we're missing just a little bit of balance that could maybe make some difference with the lap time...but anyway, I'm super happy with the team. For us, with the weather conditions, we never expected three races ago to be where we are now. Super happy for me as personally it's a good improvement in my life on the bike, but also for KTM and the team; they've done an amazing job to be here."

Smith: "To take the risks and have the confidence in the motorcycle this morning and then go straight through to Q2 was great for everybody in the garage. We never expected after five races that we would do such an achievement – the goal is always to improve but that was taking full advantage of the circumstances but also having the feeling and the confidence in the motorcycle to make it happen. This afternoon I felt that we did the best that we could. It's quite tricky in these cooler conditions to make the medium front tyre work – we already improved 1.2 seconds from our test here (before Jerez) so we are venturing into new areas and new grounds again, but we've got plenty of data. I'm happy we're on the fourth row for tomorrow as from there we have a good chance of a good start and then mixing it up with the fast guys because although we might not be able to stay there for the whole race, we'll learn a lot more being with them and seeing what their motorcycles do, and that will help our development so I'm excited for that opportunity to get a good start, try and be in the mix and see where we are at the end. Such a great weekend and such a great day so we'll give everyone a pat on the back for now with the focus on tomorrow."

Sebastian Risse (Technical Director MotoGP): "Its really quite an overwhelming for us. I think it's been a really big step for the project to see how things work out and to prove that we made steps forward at Jerez and that this is not a one off. Still we see potential to improve further and this makes us even happier to now face the race and see what else we can learn when we start from further up the grid being with other people and see how the pace can develop there. Anyway, we know what we need to work on and we are obviously not finished with that, but we will understand even better after the race and then hopefully make the next steps based on that." 

Moto2
In Moto2 qualifying, spots of rain came and went but with Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 World Champion Brad Binder still out of action as his injured arm recovers, stand in KTM Moto2 test rider Ricard Cardus was 15th with Miguel Oliveira just two places back in 17th.

Cardus: "We started very well, were  aggressive and had a good feeling on the bike. We were able to push a little more, because there weren't any puddles on the track. I was in twelfth before it started to rain, and when I went back out Miguel (Oliveira) was my pacemaker and I was able to improve my time. On the next run I was meant to break away from Miguel so that he could improve his time, but a small mechanical problem obliged me to go back to the pits. Thanks to the great work by my team, the issue was fixed in three minutes. There was barely time to put in another lap, however. We have a good base for tomorrow and we are going to try to improve a few things, but I think that it could be a fun race. I want to thank Miguel for his help with setting a good time, and the team for their work."

Moto3
An incredible Moto3 qualifying saw the top 22 riders covered by less than one second with KTM's Nicolo Bulega just missing pole by 0.031 secs on his KTM RC250 GP bike  followed by Juanfran Guevara on third place. Also all three of the Red Bull KTM Ajo bikes where within 0.4 of pole, having wildcard pilot Danny Kent as additional rider in the Ajo box next to Niccolo Antonelli and Bo Bendsneyder.

Bulega: "I lost the pole position, but I'm satisfied. In my last attempt, I exceeded the track limit at turn 8, my lap was canceled, but my second best lap time meant the first row. I was competitive in the wet, but even on the dry I found a great feeling. Tomorrow we will try something in the Warm Up to be fast during the race."

Antonelli: "It was a positive session in dry conditions. I'm happy with the work we've done and also with our pace. It was a shame about the last lap, because I felt very strong and I was going very fast, but I encounter a lot of other riders on a corner and had to back off. When I got on the gas again, they had waved the flag and I missed out on getting in another lap by a second. Starting sixth is very good; tomorrow we will have one more dry session in which to finish preparing for the race. The goal is to be in the lead group and complete a good race. I'm going to do my best and be stronger than ever."

Races: April 23, 2017 – Moto3 11:00 | Moto2 12:20 | MotoGP 14:00 CET

Results Qualifying MotoGP Le Mans 2017 
1. Maverick Vinales (ESP), Yamaha, 1:31.994 min
2. Valentino Rossi (ITA), Yamaha, +0.106 sec
3. Johann Zarco (FRA), Yamaha, +0.235
4. Cal Crutchlow (GBR), Honda, +0.306
5. Marc Marquez (ESP), Honda, +0.499
Other KTM
8. Pol Espargaro (ESP), KTM, +1.405
10. Bradley Smith (GBR), KTM, +1.635

Results Qualifying Moto2 Le Mans 2017
1. Thomas Luethi (SUI), Kalex, 1:36.548 min
2. Francesco Bagnaia (ITA), Kalex, +0.026 sec
3. Franco Morbidelli (ITA), Kalex, +0.101
4. Luca Marini (ITA), Kalex, +0.246
5. Dominique Aegerter (SUI), Suter, +0.315
Other KTM
15. Ricard Cardus (ESP), KTM, +0.821
17. Miguel Oliveira (POR), KTM, +0.892

Results Qualifying Moto3 Le Mans 2017
1. Jorge Martin (ESP), Honda, 1:42.813 min
2. Nicolo Bulega (ITA), KTM, +0.031 sec
3. Juanfran Guevara (ESP), KTM, +0.148
4. Romano Fenati (ITA), Honda, +0.186
5. Albert Arenas (ESP), Mahindra, +0.225
Other KTM
6. Niccolo Antonelli (ITA), KTM, +0.238
7. Marcos Ramirez (ESP), KTM, +0.238
9. Bo Bendsneyder (NED), KTM, +0.273
10. Danny Kent (GBR), KTM, +0.373

PHILIPP GRÜNBERGER
PR MANAGER MOTOGP
philipp.gruenberger@ktm.com
0043 664 6217921

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