Source: Supplied.

Red Bull KTM reached another important milestone in Sunday’s Aragon grand prix as Pol Espargaro was just 14 seconds behind victor Marc Marquez at the chequered flag.

It was the closest KTM has been to the race winner since joining MotoGP full-time in 2017, with test rider Mika Kallio directly behind in P11.

“To be 14 seconds behind the winner is a result we couldn’t even dream of at the start of the season, but you could feel all weekend it was something special in the air,” beamed KTM Motorsport director Pit Bierer.

“We were competitive in every practice for really good positions and not by fluke circumstances as our guys were fast the whole weekend. Qualifying wasn’t quite there, but the race was fantastic.

“There is a now a new time in our books which is 14 seconds back of the win and to do this on a long track, on a hot day without anyone gifting us places, was a fantastic day and another milestone for the KTM MotoGP project.”

While Espargaro and Kallio endured an entertaining battle for position, grand prix regular Bradley Smith claimed 19th position and will look to advance when the team tests at Aragon on Tuesday and Wednesday.