It’s been a tough start to the year from KTM riders in the Moto2™ class and on Tuesday at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Brad Binder had two different bikes to try as the Moto2™ and Moto3™ completed a day of testing on Tuesday in Andalucia.
Differing swingarms on the Red Bull KTM Ajo bikes of Binder and teammate Jorge Martin indicated the Austrian factory was trying several different options, with the Red Bull KTM Tech 3 bike of Marco Bezzecchi also sporting a different swingarm. In addition, at least one new frame was being used by more than one KTM machine, with American Racing KTM having a third bike in the garage that was undercover.
Back to business for the #Moto3 & #Moto2 riders ????????????????#GivesYouWings #READYTORACE #AjoFamily #AjoMotorsport #MotoGP pic.twitter.com/kMQ6eQEKdl
— Red Bull KTM Ajo (@RedBull_KTM_Ajo) May 7, 2019
For Binder and Martin, the changes they made in the last session has said to have been a step forward for the duo. Both riders experienced major chatter problems as soon as the temperature increased but the parts they were using in the last session seemed to have solved that issue slightly. Positive progress for KTM.
In terms of new parts, the returning MV Agusta were out testing a new chassis and swingarm in Jerez as they got more valuable miles under their belts ahead of a crucial stage of the season.
Full focus for @MattiaPasini and the team as they work on set up at the #Moto2 Jerez Test ????#PETRONASSprintaRacing @MotoGP #SepangRacingTeam #PETRONASMOTORSPORTS #Moto2 pic.twitter.com/OykW7MSvS0
— PETRONAS SRT (@sepangracing) May 7, 2019
After his huge crash at the start of the race in Jerez, Remy Gardner (ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team) wasn’t testing due to a concussion and a collarbone injury sustained. This was unfortunate for the Australian, with the SAG team having plenty of small bits and pieces to try – including an anti-chatter device. Gardner’s teammate Tetsuta Nagashima suffered a crash at Turn 13 – rider ok. Mattia Pasini was also back on a Kalex-framed bike, testing with Petronas Sprinta Racing in replacement of the injured Khairul Idham Pawi.
Britain’s Sam Lowes (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2) figured out the problems he faced during the weekend in Jerez, with Alex Marquez (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) saying the parts Kalex brought to try were positive.
Xavi Vierge (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) crashed twice, with Dimas Ekky Pratama (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia), Iker Lecuona (American Racing KTM) and Bezzecchi crashing once – riders ok.
In the Moto3™ class, Albert Arenas (Sama Qatar Angel Nieto Team) was working on bike settings – more specifically clutch settings - and getting more mileage under his belt after a cycling accident put the Spaniard out of the Argentina and Americas GPs.
????♂️ We don't stop working!
— Angel Nieto Team MotoGP (@AngelNietoTeam) May 7, 2019
Test day today at #Jerez for @AlbertArenas75! pic.twitter.com/5O8f7mtzWP
Championship leader Aron Canet (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) had some new front forks parts to test, with Arenas also trying them in the final session of the day.
Can Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) has been busy trying to find his feet with the 2019 KTM after struggling with it so far this season. The Turkish rider did, however, crash twice at Turn 2, both times he was up and ok.