Poncharal: "We are going to Qatar with big ambitions"

It's not harsh to say that Tech3 KTM Factory Racing endured a difficult 2021 with both Danilo Petrucci and Iker Lecuona unable to deliver the results that the French outfit have become accustomed to throughout their storied history in the premier class. But 2022 brings with it renewed hope and optimism.

Both Remy Gardner and Raul Fernandez dominated the intermediate class in a manner we've never seen before. Between them, they won 13 of the 18 races and were rightfully handed MotoGP™ opportunities as a result. Both pre-seasons tests in Malaysia and Indonesia didn't go to plan, however, with Gardner recovering from a broken wrist and Fernandez' pre-season coming to a premature end with concussion.

So, is much-loved team boss Herve Poncharal at all concerned heading into the opening round in Qatar? "It's true that over one lap, in Indonesia and in Malaysia, the first RC16 clocked in at five-tenths adrift of the fastest rider. That said, a time attack has never been KTM's forte. The proof is that we have rarely seen a KTM on the front row. On the other hand, Brad has accustomed us to good rises through the field and indeed we have a rather interesting race rhythm. In Mandalika, if you take the average over all the laps, Miguel is third. And from Qatar, our package will be gradually improved by small touches. The goal was not to go for a time. The winter tests are above all there for work. Some want to make an impression. We're not like that.

“Many are tempted to say that ten days is not enough for rookies," said Poncharal. "But I can assure you that it is exhausting. You don't realise how difficult it is, especially when you've just spent two months in Europe, in conditions far removed from Malaysia or Indonesia, without having done any riding.

“When you go from Moto2 to MotoGP, a whole bunch of benchmarks change. We are surrounded by more engineers, whether in terms of electronics or tyres. We no longer ride with steel brakes but with carbon. Each rider has two bikes, set up differently so we can assess more things. Suffice to say that the working method is quite different from the one to which they were accustomed until then. It's more intense and not just on the track, because you have to know how to stay focused on your comments."

Fernandez ended up 19th in Sepang and then 22nd in Mandalika, whereas Gardner was 23rd for both. Poncharal isn't too worried by those final results but does admit it's a real reflection of the strength of the premier class grid in 2022.

"If I tell you that we want to be in the top 15, you will think that I am unambitious. But the grid is even tighter than in previous years. Beyond the bike, whose performance levels have become increasingly similar, look at the number of World Champions who are now in the class. Plus the quality of the rookies. It really is a dream field.

"Our number one objective is of course to win the Rookie of the Year title, even if we know that once again it won't be easy. Both Remy and Raul will fight hard, as they did last year. Fabio Di Giannantonio and Marco Bezzecchi are also very fast. And I think Darryn Binder will ramp up. Last year we saw four poles and a victory for Jorge Martín on debut. What I would like is for us to be able to pocket a few Top 5s, especially in the second part of the season. We will also have to gauge ourselves against the official KTM riders: Miguel Oliveira and Brad Binder."

“We are going to Qatar with big ambitions, we are not here to play a role. 2022 is a super important year for KTM. We have never had such a ultra-competitive line-up across both teams. We have two riders with experience, who can fight for victories and then here, two young riders with extreme talent, capable of bringing a different perspective. It can make a difference in development. And then there is Fabiano."

Poncharal, of course, refers to possibly KTM's most important signing of the last twelve months: Fabiano Sterlacchini. The Italian was Gigi Dall'Igna's right-hand-man at Ducati for a number of years and was signed by the Austrians in 2021 to head up their development as new Head of Technology.

"This is the first year where he is really in control, with all the freedom to act, to influence his working method. In 2021, he learned, studied, recorded a lot of things and now he will be able to start delivering."