Sepang MotoGP Test: “Yes we are!” - Pol Espargaro believes that KTM is a contender

Fastest of the four KTM riders at the Sepang MotoGP Test, Pol Espargaro is adamant that the Austrian manufacturer is capable of running at the front on a consistent basis.
Pol Espargaro, GASGAS Tech 3 KTM MotoGP Sepang 2023
Pol Espargaro, GASGAS Tech 3 KTM MotoGP Sepang 2023

Although Espargaro failed♈ to finish inside the top ten, his early pace on day three of the MotoGP test was extremely impressive as he remained inside the top five until time attack runs began. 

Espargaro, who unlike the two factory KTM riders 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Brad Binder and 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Jack Miller, did not go quicker 🌸during the final two hours as he instead relied on his earlier time for what turned out to be a P13 finisꦦh.

But when posed the question that KTM is not challenging others at the top of the timingsheets, Espargaro foꦑught back.

The GASGAS Tech 3 rider said: "Well yes we are! I’ve been 💮in the top five all day. It’s like a kids' playroom for the last few hours. I was seventh in the right time and now I end up 13th. 

"But it’s not the day to be at the top. The day to be at the top is in Portimao. I haꦏve the f🌊eeling that we did our homework pretty well. 

"Not just in one lap but in the pace. For sure, we could be much higher but you learn these thin⛦gs with age and some things are not needed. 

"We did the right things when we needed to do [𒊎them]. We are all pretty happy an🌟d we will show it in Portimao."

On that note, Espargaro also felt as though day three was the most constructive day o𓄧f the🎀 test for both himself and the GASGAS team.

"I think today was the best day," added the former Repsol Honda riderꦉ. "We tried the biggest things - we tried the engine, we tried the aerodynamics and we also tried some parameters on the engine and all of them worked very well. 

Pol
Pol

"I want to really congratulate the engine department in KTM because they’ve been working flꦛat out and the improvements are very nice. I’m happy."

Espargaro not expecting ‘big parts’ to be introduced by KTM or any other MotoGP brand in Portimao

Given the nature of the Sepang circuit which is one that allows you to test cornering ability in both high and slow sp𓆏eed, overall top speed and hard braking just to name a few, Portimao is a much more unique venue due to its elevatio꧒n.

And with that in mind, Espargaro does not see any manufacturer trying to take a big advantage by introd♐ucing new parts at the Portuguese track. 

"I think all the biggest parts from all the manufacturers were brought here. I think in Portima꧟o it’s going to be a matter of small setups, small changes on the bike," said Espargaro. 

"These kinds of things - I don’t expect that big things will come in Portimao. Not from our manufacturer or all manufacturers. Portimao is a good circuit to work on the setting becau🐭𒐪se it’s quite demanding from the suspension and this kind of thing. 

"Talking about aero, engine performance, I think it’s not t🌟he best place to test the꧋se kinds of things."

Espargaro ready to ‘go for it’

Already in a much more൲ content place than during his time at Honda, Espargaro is ready to shake things up at the front of MotoGP.

Pol
Pol

Ducati and Aprilia appear to be the favouriteꦦs heading into the start of the season, however, that hasn’t stopped Espargaro from having hope of creating havoc. 

Espargaro added: "We need to go for it! I don’t know what to expect but I know all the competitors are going to be strong. I fe💎el stron𝓡g too. 

"The [main] thing is we know that the impor😼tant things are being done right and the te🌌st has been good."

Read More