Source: Supplied.

KTM Factory Racing Team has completed another extensive test of its RC16 MotoGP contender at Misano in Italy ahead of an official premier class world championship debut in 2017.

Alongside regular test rider Mika Kallio was current Milwaukee BMW World Superbike regular Karel Abraham, who has extensive grand prix experience prior to his WorldSBK switch this season.

“The motorcycle already rides very well and I hadn’t actually expected it would be at this level,” Abraham said. “The engine feels strong and the electronics already work quite well. The three days on the bike were a fantastic experience for me and I really enjoyed it. I’m looking forward to the next round of tests with the bike.”

KTM on-road vice president Mike Leitner said it was another crucial outing for the brand: “We were able to sort out many small problems and in the meantime the team is increasingly professional in the work they are doing. This and the three days of sunshine made it possible for us to almost completely finish the comprehensive test program.

“This makes things much clearer for us for the next steps, especially because the test riders’ comments all went in a very similar direction. Now it’s all about putting in determined work to continuously improve the overall package. The first real set-up can only follow when we soon test for the first time together with the grand prix teams.”

The KTM MotoGP Factory Racing Team will use the four weeks to the next test to evaluate the experience they have gathered and at the same time to also move into the new KTM Motorsport building in Munderfing, Austria.