The arrival of Maverick Viñales at KTM seemed to be a promising new start for the Spanish rider. His first impressions were exciting, but KTM's difficult financial situation casts a shadow over that future.
Maverick Viñales will start next season with fourth MotoGP brandafter notable passages at Suzuki, Yamaha et
Apriliawhere he won races with every one of them. Now at KTMthe Catalan pilot seems to have found “ the bike of his life“. However, an uncertain future hangs over the Austrian brand, shaken by financial problems and a temporary freeze in technical development.
During the MotoGP tests in Barcelona, Vinales was immediately seduced by the KTM RC16. « I had no expectations, but the sensations were very positive and the driving was natural from the start. » This initial impression reignited his enthusiasm, because for the first time he was able to fully exploit his aggressive style.
Comparing the RC16 to his previous bikes, he explained: “ on the Aprilia it was difficult for me to accelerate, but here I do it immediately. This bike highlights my strengths. The RC16 is very powerful. It has good traction and exits corners well. I liked the chassis and I'm happy with it. »
Maverick Viñales would have found the RC16 the bike of his dreams but KTM is in the middle of a nightmare
Vinales seems ready to do anything to ensure the success of the project KTM. As proof of his involvement, he went to Jerez during his vacation to closely follow the tests of
Pol Espargaro et Dani Pedrosa. Better yet, he even
bought KTM shares to support the brand in the face of its financial crisis.
Despite this surge of optimism, the future of
KTM remains uncertain. Promises to maintain MotoGP activities are regularly called into question by internal problems, notably the probable delay in the payment of December salaries.
While Vinales seems to have finally found ” the bike of his dreams“, only the economic stability of KTM will be able to transform this new adventure into a real success. The fate of this alliance now rests in the hands of the Austrian brand.
Related News :