Argentinian GP MotoGP – KTM: "We are starting to see the end of the tunnel"
Pol Espargaro and Bradley Smith gave their new employer KTM their first MotoGP points during the 2017 Argentinian GP. But are their respective 14th and 15th positions really indicative of a real progression of the unprecedented Moto GP of the Austrian brand, the RC16 ? MNC Statements and Analysis.
Pol Espargaro – KTM Factory (18th in qualifying and 14th in race) : "It’s a very important moment for us, as KTM scored its very first points in MotoGP history. We have to be happy, even though I think we had the opportunity to do a little better. still lacked a little speed in a straight line to overtake Tito (Rabat, on the Honda Marc VDS, NDLR) and Hector (Barbera, on the Ducati Avintia, NDLR).
"It’s a shame, because I felt fast this Sunday. We could have finished ahead of them, but that was not possible. We still have weak points, but on the other hand I would like to congratulate my whole team who is doing a great job. We are moving forward. Of course we are still a long way off, but we are starting to see the end of the tunnel ".
- MNC Summary –
- MNC Live – Argentinian GP: Ducati and Honda hit the mat
- MNC Live – Argentinian GP: Marquez falls, Suzuki cries
- MNC Live – Moto3, Moto2 and MotoGP Qualifiers
- MNC file :
Bradley Smith – KTM Factory (19th in qualifying and 15th in race) : "This day will be remembered as we both finished in the points. We made great strides from Qatar, since until then we were not able to fight with the group that preceded us. In Argentina , we were able to stay in contact with Hector and Tito for a good part of the race. We had to improve by three or four seconds. I’m really happy with my race ".
"Throughout the weekend I was struggling to get below 1.42, while in the race I was regularly turning 1’41. Of course we have to keep improving, but we can be happy with what we are doing. race after race. The next event is going to be difficult. We have no information about Austin. There are 22 corners, the layout is quite technical, it could be complicated ".
MNC analysis : Should we really be enthusiastic about the 14th and 15th places of the KTM Boy’s at the Argentinian GP? At first glance, these positions are indeed commendable since they are synonymous with the first entries in the points in the premier category of the Orange brand. A great reward for this young and ambitious project, which revolves around original solutions in terms of chassis (tubular steel frame and WP suspensions, where all the rivals are with perimeter frame and Olhins damping).
However, a closer look at the results of Pol Espargaro and Bradley Smith indicate that they finished more than 43 seconds behind the winner, Maverick Vinales. Their best time in the race more explicitly reflects their gap: in his best lap, the Spaniard turned in 1’41.012 and his British teammate in 1’41.277, i.e. 1.318 sec and 1.583 sec respectively from the reference loop signed by Viñales in 1’39.694. It’s barely better than the first race in Qatar (between 1.375 sec and 1.786 sec on the fastest lap in the race)…
In addition, the many twists and turns of this second round also greatly favor the entry into the points of the Austrian brand: without the falls of top pilots like Marc Marquez, Jorge Lorenzo, Dani Pedrosa, Andrea Dovizioso, the KTM pilots would be out of the points. . Not to mention the passage through the pit lane Andrea Iannone for a fly start on his Suzuki and the disqualifications of Alex Rins, Aleix Espargaro and Sam Lowes.
In other words, Pol Espargaro’s measured enthusiasm is objectively adapted to the situation: yes, KTM sees the end of the tunnel, but it still has to go through a lot of stages before leaving it. !
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