KTM comes to Spielberg with home advantage and momentum – test rider Pol Espargaro promises updates and is optimistic about the second half of the season
When MotoGP comes to the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, all eyes are automatically on KTM. The Austrian manufacturer not only has home advantage, but is also on an upward trend.
After several top-three finishes in recent races and a noticeable improvement over the course of the season, there is optimism in the paddock, including among Pol Espargaro.
“I definitely think we can perform just as well in Austria,” says the test rider with regard to the home race. In addition, updates for the RC16 are imminent, which the test team has been working on intensively during the summer break.
Espargaro points out that work on new components continued during the summer, even though the test schedule was relatively light. At the end of July, he and Dani Pedrosa privately tested some new parts in Barcelona.
“I think they’ll be coming soon. The next two races are promising. We’re usually fast in Austria, and we tested at Balaton Park beforehand. So I’m very positive about the second half of the season,” said Espargaro.
In addition to the technical progress, the 32-year-old also gave a positive assessment of the development of KTM youngster Pedro Acosta. The Spaniard is “a fighter” and is determined to win. “He’s relentless in that regard,” he said.
“He really wants to do it, but sometimes that comes with frustration and accidents. Sometimes you have to accept that you don’t have the same resources as the others, but you also have to believe that you will have them.”
Although the season has not been without setbacks for Acosta, he will soon benefit from the improvements. “We are working hard and soon we will be giving the factory riders good equipment. I believe that by the end of the year they will be able to fight on equal terms with the best,” said Espargaro.
