Source: Supplied.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing has completed a two-day test at Aragon as it continues to make inroads to the front of the MotoGP field, including development of the 2018 model RC16.

No less than four riders were on track this week as team regulars Pol Espargaro, Bradley Smith and test rider Mike Kallio were joined by German Superbike rider Markus Reiterberger.

“In total we had a really positive test here,” KTM MotoGP technical director Sebastian Risse said. “Two long days with many laps trying many configurations on the one hand to finish the season in a good way and on the other to prepare for next year for which we need to take some important decisions and this was the test at which to do that.

“We’re happy about that and we’ve found some steps that we can already use over these remaining four grands prix this year, as well as to prove these settings on other tracks as although the conditions were good here, every track is different so we will see how it transfers. At the moment we are happy and very positive with this test: now we move on to the overseas races.”

Reiterberger said his first taste of a MotoGP bike was a welcome one, thankful to be called in by the Red Bull KTM team. He started the season in WorldSBK with Althea BMW, however reverted to the IDM series mid-season to capture that title and also contested the recent Bol d’Or 24 Hours Endurance World Championship opener.

“I first want to say to KTM a big thank you for making this happen and for my team to let me test,” he commented. “It’s amazing for me to come here and test the MotoGP bike. The feeling is amazing for the first few laps over a day where I did about seven runs and improved a little bit for the feeling and for the lap time, so in the end I was happy. Of course there is a little bit of time to make up, but after half a day I’m really happy to test this MotoGP bike, so we will see what the future brings.”

The main focus of the test was to further develop the KTM premier class entry with chassis and suspension parts, while also trialing the latest aerodynamic updates.