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KTM MotoGP

As stated in the past, KTM had their best year yet in MotoGP last season with a total of three race victories and a handful of podium finishes. This time around, they’re determined to bring the fight for the world championship title with the latest set of riders and updated KTM RC16. (more…)

The KTM squad will have one less rider on the MotoGP grid this weekend in Valencia as Iker Lecuona from the Red Bull KTM Tech3 squad has been in close contact with someone who was found positive for COVID-19. This news was officially shared on the Tech3 Facebook and Twitter pages with a message from its team principal, Herve Poncharal. (more…)

KTM is ready for some serious MotoGP 2020 podium contention with the official unveiling of the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing and Red Bull KTM Tech 3 liveries. Fighting for the top spot will be Pol Espargaro and Brad Binder on the factory squad as well as Miguel Oliveira and Iker Lecuona on the satellite outfit. (more…)

Throughout the three days of winter testing last weekend during the official Sepang MotoGP Test, one particular manufacturer has been popping up quite fast to the top of the timesheets early in the day. The KTM RC16 ridden by Dani Pedrosa and Pol Espargaro set the trend for the fastest lap times before noon hits and that says a lot about what the factory has to offer for the 2020 season. (more…)

  • Miguel Oliveira will continue to ride for KTM in the 2020 MotoGP season.

  • He has so far impressed everyone this season.

  • He is currently in front of a number of more experienced men in the standings.

KTM secures Miguel Oliveira through the 2020 MotoGP season.

The Portuguese rookies has so far impressed everyone in the 2019 season, including veteran riders on the KTM RC16 MotoGP bike. He will continue to ride for the Red Bull KTM Tech3 team next year.

He was riding further up the field in the season opener at Qatar but dropped down to 17that the finish after destroying his tyres. But he learned quickly and fought hard for 9thwith Aleix Espargaro on the Aprilia and Pol Espargaro on the factory KTM, before settling for 11th. In Austin, Oliveira finished 14thbehind Johann Zarco on the factory KTM.

Oliveira came oh-so-close to winning the 2018 Moto2 championship, by winning 3 races and standing on the podium a total of 12 times. He would eventually end the season with just 9 points behind Francesco Bagnaia.

His results had him promoted to MotoGP right away, albeit to the Tech3 satellite team. But it didn’t matter, since both Red Bull KTM Factory Racing and Red Bull KTM Tech 3 Racing teams share the same factory-spec KTM RC16.

Oliveira is now 16thin the standings, ahead of Jorge Lorenzo, Andrea Ianone, Johann Zarco, Tito Rabat and teammate Hafizh Syahrin.

Hafizh Syahrin di atas jentera KTM RC16 sewaktu GP Qatar 2019 – Sumber imej: MotoGP.com

 

  • Jentera perlumbaan KTM RC16 menggunakan kerangka keluli trellis dan suspensi WP.
  • Ini berbeza berbanding dengan spar aluminium dan suspensi Öhlins yang menjadi pilihan pasukan MotoGP yang lain.
  • Apabila ditanya sama ada mereka akan menukarkan kelengkapan dan bahagian tersebut, ketua pasukan KTM menidakkannya.

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  • The KTM RC16 uses a steel trellis frame and WP suspension.

  • Which is a departure from the MotoGP norm of aluminium spars and Öhlins.

  • When asked if they will make a switch, KTM motorsport boss said no.

Much has been said about KTM and their performance (or lack of) in MotoGP. Most pointed to their use of the steel trellis frame and WP suspension on the RC16, instead of the perennial aluminium spars and Öhlins suspension.

It may seem that the Austrian giant is going nowhere to the casual observer, but truth is, the RC16 is undergoing development at a breakneck pace.

It started out with a “screamer” engine (all cylinders firing in equally spaced sequence) in 2017. But by 2018, it was revised to the “big bang” configuration (all cylinders fired quickly in a short space), together with a counter-rotating crankshaft.

KTM motorsport manager, Pit Beirer told Simon Crafar of MotoGP.com that they’ve come far within the last two years. In fact, the RC16 put in Marc Marquez’s 2017 lap times at a number of tracks last year.

The whole MotoGP class is developing like crazy, every makes steps forward. But if you told me five years ago KTM would make a machine on year after Marquez almost at the same speed, I wouldn’t believe. But we did it.”

When asked if they will stop using the steel trellis frame and WP suspension, “That’s not an option,” said Beirer.

“It’s brought us success in every single discipline, so we will stick to this because we have the widest knowledge around this material we are using.”

Indeed, the frame/WP combination has allowed KTM to be competitive, succeed, even dominate racing series from enduro to Moto2.

Hafizh Syahrin bersama KTM telah bersedia untuk menyahut cabaran MotoGP 2019. Dengan sesi ‘winter test’ yang akan bermula tidak lama lagi, ia merupakan satu langkah bersejarah bukan sahaja untuk pelumba MotoGP pertama dari Malaysia malah untuk KTM juga di dalam musim ketiga mereka berlumba di kelas tertinggi. (more…)

  • KTM organized a Meet the Fans session at the Sepang International Circuit.

  • There was also a special press conference.

  • Hafizh’s Tech 3 team has switched to KTM for the 2019 MotoGP season.

It was a shock when Tech 3 announced their move to the KTM after being associated with Yamaha for 20 years. The announced was made almost immediately after the signing Malaysia rider Hafizh Syahrin to the team when it was called Monster Energy Tech 3 Yamaha.

But Hafizh’s determination shone through in his rookie season when he very nearly captured the Rookie of the Year crown, instead of Franco Morbidelli.

For the 2019 season, the now Red Bull Tech 3 KTM team retains Hafizh’s services. He is set to partner Miguel Oliviera who stepped up from KTM’s Moto2 team.

Anyway, KTM Malaysia, the KTM regional office, dignitaries and Tech 3 teams members held a special conference for the Malaysian media featuring Hafizh Syahrin on the eve of the shakedown run which begins from 1st through 3rd February 2019.

KTM motorcycle owners also supported the event, and were rewarded with Hafizh Syahrin and Pol Espargaro’s autographs.

The Q&A session was held between Hafizh Syahrin and the emcee.

It was apparent that Hafizh is a competitive person. When asked why he started racing, he replied succinctly, “Because I like to race. I’m determined to procure what I want so racing fits into my character.”

There were questions into his preferences, including his race number 55. “Personally, race numbers should mean something. My race number is actually my birthday – 5th May 1994.”

On his nickname El Pescao, “I was in the Spanish CEV series in 2012. I was very new and alien to what needs to be done. My first race was wet, and my crew was doing the best to replace the tyres. I started from the pits in 24th position but charged up the field to finish 5th. The crew had trouble calling my name one of them decided to call me El Pescao, which means fish in Spanish.”

“I felt that El Pescao looked good when designed as graphics, so I decided to stick with that nickname.”

However, Hafizh is associated with another nickname recently called, “#BO55KU.” “It started in Sabah. I was training with the National Cycling Team and they kept using the term ‘Bossku’,” elaborated Hafizh. “It can mean ‘Bro’ and also ‘Boss’. I started using it a year ago and it’s now viral.”

Back to business, Hafizh was queried on how he felt about his 2018 season. “I didn’t expect to be in MotoGP in 2018. I’d like to say thank you to Dato’ Razlan (Razali, CEO of Sepang International Circuit) and also Hervé(Poncharal, Principal of Tech 3 Racing) for making this happen.”

Syahrin, Jerez MotoGP test, 2018

Of course, the question we expected was asked, “What is the difference between the KTM RC16 and Yamaha YZR-M1 last year?”

Hafizh: “The KTM RC16 really looks good (he’s probably alluding to ‘if it looks good, it goes good).” He added, “The Yamaha felt soft when accelerating off corners but the RC16, being a V-Four has more torque at the bottom (of the RPM range). It feels more aggressive.”

“I did enjoy myself on the bike (during the Valencia and Jerez post-season tests) but I need more time to fully learn it.”

Syahrin, Jerez MotoGP test, 2018

“It’s not easy for me and the team as they have been with Yamaha for more than 20 years. The bike itself is new, the chassis, suspension (WP instead of Öhlins). However, I’m happy to be with this team because they provide me with many things to understand the bike. The crew went to the KTM factory in Austria during the 2-month break to improve the bike.”

“I got some feedback from the team and can’t wait to try the bike beginning tomorrow, for 6 days (including the first pre-season test). 6 days may seem a lot but it allows use to work more on the bike.”

Syahrin, Jerez MotoGP test, 2018

The question on everyone’s minds, Malaysian KTM fans in particular is whether there will be a “Hafizh Syahrin” replica. KTM Malaysia will issue a special liveried RC 390 which mimics the Winter Test bike. It will be announced later in the year and will wear Hafizh Syahrin’s colours.

“We have new colour that’s very nice. I think it’s different from everyone else’s. I hope you guys can wait until 12thFebruary as we are launching the new MotoGP bikes in Austria.”

“Lastly, I would like to thank everyone who has supported me, including my fans. For sure I will do my best in 2019. I made some rookie mistakes last year which cost me some good positions. I’ve learned from my mistakes and hope not to repeat them.”

PICTURE GALLERY

  • Tulang selangka kanan Dani Pedrosa telah tercedera semula.
  • Dan oleh kerana itu, dia tidak dapat menghadiri ujian pemanas di SIC.
  • Tulang itu telah tercedera sewaktu latihan fizikal, dan bukannya akibat kemalangan.

(more…)

  • Dani Pedrosa has rebroken his right collarbone.

  • As such, he will miss the shakedown test at SIC.

  • The bone was rebroken in physical exertion, not a crash.

Fans of Dani Pedrosa will not see him during the shakedown test at SIC (Sepang International Circuit) in February astride a KTM RC16.

He rebroke his right collarbone without a crash of physical impact but through a “gesture of strength” as reported in the press release. It meant that the rider was probably just exercising.

The injury is the result of having broken the bone twice before and required surgery to fit plates. Consequently, the collarbone has sclerotic lesion which slows regrowth. Furthermore, osteoporosis has set in due to lack of blood flow resulting in a brittle bone.

He rebroke his right collarbone which will require another surgery and long recovery process before being able to test the KTM again.

Dani Pedrosa has retired from the Repsol Honda team and MotoGP competitive racing last year. He later announced that he will take up the roll of test rider for the KTM factory team. He managed to ride the KTM RC16 in the Valencia and Jerez post-season tests and provided some feedback to the team.

  • Pada bulan Jun yang lalu, Dani Pedrosa telah mengumumkan bahawa dia akan bersara dari perlumbaan MotoGP pada penghujung musim 2018.
  • Dani, yang baharu sahaja memasuki usia 33 tahun, telah berjaya menaiki podium MotoGP sebanyak 33 kali, namun tidak pernah memenangi kejohanan dunia tersebut.
  • Pasukan Bull KTM telah merebut peluang ini dan mengambil Dani sebagai penunggang uji rasmi mereka bagi membangunkan jentera perlumbaan KTM RC16 mereka.
  • Dia akan bekerjasama dengan penunggang kelahiran Finlad, Mika Kallio.

(more…)

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