News 28 Nov 2019

Valuable data gained in Jerez according to Red Bull KTM manager

Espargaro confirms feedback at two-day test in Spain.

Image: Supplied.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team manager Mike Leitner is confident the squad gained valuable data at the Jerez test despite it being hampered by rain.

Pol Espargaro continued to develop the 2020 package, confirming a number of set-up changes that were made at the Valencia test last week.

Meanwhile, rookie Brad Binder progressed with his adaptation to the RC16, taking to the track in the wet to gain crucial experience in different conditions.

“Our wish was for two full days of testing but we know at this time of year the weather can be difficult,” Leitner commented. “Actually, we were still able to confirm a lot of things we tried in Valencia. Generally, we are happy and we can send our riders into the winter break fit – which is very important – and the technical summaries we made were also good.

“Pol worked further on a 2020 direction and we saw today, especially in the wet, that Brad is starting to get the feel for the MotoGP bike – it was nice to see.

“Pol worked well and found positive points of the new material but we are still not at the point where we can say ‘everything is fixed’, we have to go to Sepang and work hard there but the important information has come across and we can plan for Malaysia and Qatar. We’ll go home and reload the batteries a little bit and then keep pushing for next February.”

The Sepang test is scheduled for 7-9 February 2020.

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