Relief for KTM MotoGP rider Maverick Vinales: The Spaniard visited the intensively working test team in Jerez. Despite silence from the KTM pits, Vinales was convinced of his colleagues’ job.
There is currently no active official communication from KTM’s racing department. The newly signed Maverick Vinales has taken on the role of spokesman for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing. The Spaniard, world champion on KTM in Moto3 eleven years ago, traveled by plane to Jerez to watch his colleagues from the test team at work.
KTM had rented the Jerez de la Frontera racetrack exclusively from Wednesday in order to spend a full three days with Pol Espargaro and Dani Pedrosa on the further development of the RC16 for 2025.
The last ride before the short Christmas break was very important. The fact that the two official test riders from Spain started working in the south of Spain is an undisputed sign of life for the MotoGP project from Austria.
In the first week of December, the rumors about KTM escalated. Some crazy messages that were shot through social networks had announced the early end of the MotoGP project around the RC16.
The fact is that drastic decisions were made at the company’s headquarters in Mattighofen to ensure economic survival. You are just as far away from a solution as you are from relaxation. At the same time, it was ensured that day-to-day operations ran smoothly.
Looking at Jerez, this also applies to the MotoGP image bearer. There is no question of canceling the project. The three-day Jerez test revolved exclusively around the 2025 version of the RC16 and was considered crucial preparation for the big test event in Sepang.
No details about the specifications used came out of the KTM garage, but it is certain that the findings from the one-day test in Barcelona were also incorporated. The innovations in the area, engine, electronics and aerodynamics had been worked out in advance by Espargaro and Pedrosa – the two had tested in Jerez five weeks ago.
Tech3 KTM athlete Maverick Vinales was unable to intervene in the testing. According to the concession regulations – KTM is listed as a C manufacturer – official racing drivers are banned from driving in private MotoGP tests. Vinales circled the route on foot and posted several videos of Pedrosa and Espargaro in action on his Instagram channel. The recordings show that the testing in Jerez took place on dry asphalt.
Vinales wrote: “I’ve been itching to try it out myself, but it’s going to feel so great when I get on my new bike in a few months. I’m excited about the direction we’re taking – good job Pol and Dani!”
At the next official tests in Sepang, only the strong test drivers will initially drive the RC16. Because KTM is the only manufacturer that has to compete in the shakedown test from January 31st without a regular driver – not a single rookie has a KTM contract. While Yamaha and Honda, as D manufacturers, are allowed to test freely with all riders, Ducati and Aprilia will use newcomers Fermin Aldeguer (Gresini) and Ai Ogura (Trackhouse).
Maverick Vinales, Enea Bastianini, Brad Binder and Pedro Acosta will be racing the new RC16 for the first time on February 5th.
MotoGP test calendar for the 2025 season
Valencia-Test: 19. November 2024
Shakedown-Test Sepang: 31 January – 2 February
Sepang Test: February 5 – February 7
Buriram Test: 12 – 13 February
