KTM

Pol Espargaro says after trying more KTM test pieces than the rest of the MotoGP grid at last week’s Qatar pre-season test he accepts making clear and sizable performance gains will be tricky to gauge but is eager to see the results of the intensive winter programme at the opening

Team: Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Riders: Pol Espargaro, Johann Zarco Test Riders: Mika Kallio, Dani Pedrosa Bike: KTM RC16 Best placed rider, 2018: Pol Espargaro, 14 th Best result, 2018: 3 rd , Pol Espargaro

Herve Poncharal says his new-look Red Bull KTM Tech3 squad will push throughout the 2019 MotoGP season to close the gap to both the factory KTM riders and the rest of the grid as he anticipates a fresh start for his team.

Brad Binder cut a lot more relaxed figure in the Jerez paddock after this week’s testing in Andalusia confirmed considerable improvements from KTM, and the South African’s status as one of the preseason favourites for the 2019 Moto2 title.

Francesco Bagnaia may have stolen the rookie limelight with a stunning second fastest lap time at Sepang, but another MotoGP newcomer also made a big step relative to the 2018 tests.

Red Bull and KTM have presented the 2019 colours for the factory MotoGP team and new satellite Tech3 machines, during a ceremony in Mattighofen, Austria.

Pol Espargaro has hailed the “unbelievable” gains made by the KTM MotoGP squad over the winter, adding it has taken an “amazing step” in terms of race pace. 

Dani Pedrosa has undergone stem cell surgery on his right collarbone and is expected to be out of action for three months to recover from the operation.

New Red Bull KTM recruit Johann Zarco admits the winter did not provide his team with enough time to implement “huge” changes on its 2019 MotoGP bike.

Red Bull KTM rider Pol Espargaro says pushing to “find the limit” led to his crash during the first day of MotoGP pre-season testing at Sepang. 

It was a day of numbers for KTM MotoGP test rider Mika Kallio at the start of the Sepang Shakedown, as he debuted the #66 in place of his usual 36 and took to the track with  seven different machines.

Hafizh Syahrin will be hoping his new KTM MotoGP machine performs as well as it looks. Speaking at his local Sepang circuit on Thursday, the Malaysian - remaining with Tech3 but switching from Yamaha to KTM for his second season in the premier-class - said:

This year's Sepang MotoGP Shakedown test is being held slightly later than usual, from February 1-3. That means it falls outside of the winter test ban, from December 1 to January 31.

Pol Espargaro has a simple aim for the MotoGP off-season: "Heal up". The Red Bull KTM rider suffered a hernia in his vertebra during a 250km/h fall at the very first test of the year, in Sepang, also ruling him out of the Thai test.

With pre-season testing preparations being finalised and targets being drawn up for the 2019 MotoGP world championship, Crash.net looks over what key objectives each manufacturer will be desperate to get right.

Having celebrated sixth in the MotoGP championship, three podiums and two pole positions with Johann Zarco during its final season with Yamaha, Tech3 dropped to the tail of the timesheets during the start of its new partnership with KTM.

Nasser Al-Attiyah has retained a healthy Dakar Rally lead despite conceding victory on stage six to closest rival Sebastien Loeb after going astray from his route towards the finish.

Not long after 15.30 on a rainy autumn afternoon outside Valencia, the curtain came down on one of modern grand prix racing’s more distinguished careers. Come the evening of November 18 th , Dani Pedrosa was reflecting on the last of his 289 grand prix in a stellar 18-year career.

Dani Pedrosa has been ruled out of MotoGP testing action for KTM as he prepares to undergo a stem cell surgery on a double collarbone fracture which has recently been detected.

KTM boss Pit Beirer quashes ideas of handing Dani Pedrosa MotoGP wildcard entries as the Spaniard “has no plans to race again” – Speedweek

KTM team boss Mike Leitner is convinced Dani Pedrosa can help the factory achieve that crucial “next step” in MotoGP, and dismissed concerns the Spaniard’s weight could make him ineffective in a testing capacity.

After a stunning first year in MotoGP, KTM was forced into a reality check in 2018, as it didn’t quite match the lofty expectations it set itself back in March. Injuries had a good deal to with it, and with this in mind, one of the year’s more intriguing signings took place.

“If Marc loses to Lorenzo, it’s a win-win” claims MotoGP legend Mick Doohan - MotoGP.com .

KTM, MotoGP's newest manufacturer, is 'proud' to have secured the services of 54-time grand prix winner Dani Pedrosa as its new test rider. After 18 years on Honda machinery in the 125cc, 250cc and MotoGP classes, Pedrosa competed in his final race at Valencia in November.