Sweat and toil as 2019 MotoGP gets going at Sepang 

MotoGP 2019 IRTA test Sepang (MYS)

Red Bull KTM and Red Bull KTM Tech3 used the searing heat of the Sepang circuit for two days of private work prior to the gathering of the full grid for the IRTA test. Aerodynamics, engine set-up and other modifications for the race configuration of the KTM RC16 were on the agenda for Pol Espargaro, Johann Zarco and Miguel Oliveira and Hafizh Syahrin.

Espargaro notched 44 laps in the oppressive heat and registered the third quickest lap-time at the midway stage of the first day. The Spaniard had a small front end ‘tuck’ with about an hour and a half to go before the end of the eight hour window but was pleased with his progress (10th) and the best chrono just 0.6 of a second from the leading time. Zarco (20th) ploughed ahead with his familiarisation of his racebike over more than 60 laps and expressed his contentment with increased comfort for what was just his third outing on the KTM.

Tech 3 duo Oliviera (16th) and Syahrin (26th) had their own work plan. After an early setback the Portuguese was the second fastest of the quartet while his teammate was able to use his copious knowledge of the Malaysian course to get further acquainted with the RC16.

The schedule continues tomorrow before the teams consider the second test at the end of the month at Losail in Qatar.

Pol Espargaro: “I’m happy. We did some good steps. We are looking for a bit more grip and a compromise between the engine and electronics and these things. I had a small crash at the end of the day but I think we are in a good way. We are trying a lot of things; and a lot of them you cannot see! Our main target is to improve the whole package. At the moment I am satisfied. Even if the lap-times don't always come at a test you are still learning.”

Johann Zarco: “This morning I had a nice feeling and things were coming easy because we’d had two days of private testing. We confirmed things on the bike and confirmed feelings instead of making big changes. It is a ‘long’ work and that's why there is not big improvements all the time but compared to November when I started I had much more control and I can give clearer information. I’m positive because I know where we want to go. I trust the bike more and more.”

Miguel Oliveira: “Our day has been good. We had a small step back because we couldn’t run as much as we wanted with both bikes but the team did a really great job. We adapted our program and managed to test everything that we wanted. We did many good laps, which is a positive sign. Finally, to do a fast lap at the end was OK; in general I had a decent pace. So, I’m happy with this first day and look forward to improve tomorrow.”

Hafizh Syahrin: “It has been a long wait, but in the end, we had the shakedown a bit earlier than some other teams. Overall, I feel good, although we are still a bit far. I was working hard to improve many things in order to try to find the best setup for my new bike. Tomorrow we’ll try to find a solution to get more grip on the rear and to improve the exit of the corners.”

IRTA Test Day 1 test standings

Press & PR Manager
Sebastian Kuhn
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sebastian.kuhn@ktm.com