Pol Espargaro is eager to see how KTM's new 850cc MotoGP machine stacks up against its rivals in Monday's test at the Red Bull Ring. The Spaniard, who juggles testing duties with stand-in rides for the injured Maverick Vinales at Tech3, calls the upcoming session a 'new enigma' as the bike tackles a different circuit for only the second time with current race riders and Pirelli tyres.
Espargaro has been alternating between the 1000cc bike he races on weekends and the 850cc project he helps develop behind the scenes. The Red Bull Ring test marks the second outing where regular MotoGP riders can sample the 2027-spec machinery and Pirelli rubber, following the previous test at Mugello. "There is a lot of work," Espargaro admitted. "First, to see how the bike reacts on another race track, because every time we go to a different circuit with different conditions and track temperatures, the bike changes completely and we need to reset everything."
He added that understanding the three tyre compounds will be crucial. But what intrigues him most is hearing feedback from the factory riders and gauging KTM's competitiveness against the likes of Ducati. "At Mugello we were not too bad lap time-wise compared to Ducati, but we improved quite a lot," he said. "But a new race track, it's a new enigma." KTM is expected to let Sunday's race winner Pedro Acosta ride the 850cc bike again, even though he will switch to Ducati next season.
Meanwhile, Honda's test rider Takaaki Nakagami impressed with a 13th-place finish standing in for Joan Mir, ahead of full-time riders Luca Marini and Diogo Moreira. Nakagami confirmed that LCR riders Moreira and Johann Zarco will both make their 850cc/Pirelli debuts on Monday. "Tomorrow main job is that Diogo and Johann will try the new bike," Nakagami said. "I will ride also, but the main job is to help the two guys. Hopefully they like Honda's new bike."
Moreira and Zarco are contracted to Honda for next season, though it remains unclear if Moreira will partner Fabio Quartararo at the factory HRC team. Regardless, the Red Bull Ring test is a vital opportunity for both KTM and Honda to gather data before the new technical regulations kick in. For Espargaro, it's a chance to see how the 850cc machine performs and how the top riders adapt to a bike that will reshape MotoGP's landscape.
With two major manufacturers pushing hard on their 850cc projects, the 2027 season promises to be fiercely competitive. The Austrian test is more than just a shakedown; it's the first real battleground for the future of MotoGP. Will KTM challenge Ducati's dominance? Or will Honda spring a surprise? All eyes will be on the Red Bull Ring this Monday.
Baca Juga
Pedro Acosta raih kemenangan perdana MotoGP di Austria 2026. Marc Marquez anggapnya penantang gelar. Simak analisis dan perebutan juara.
Pol Espargaro penasaran dengan performa KTM 850cc di tes MotoGP Austria. Simak analisis lengkap dan persiapan Honda jelang debut motor 2027.
Alex Marquez dan Fermin Aldeguer bersenggolan di MotoGP Austria, berujung crash Marquez. Insiden rekan setim Gresini yang akan berpisah musim depan.
Lanjutkan dengan Google
Diskusi & Komentar (0)
Mari Bergabung dalam Diskusi!
Masuk dengan mudah untuk mulai memberikan komentar, membalas, dan berinteraksi dengan pembaca lainnya.
Komentar Terbaru
Belum ada komentar. Jadilah yang pertama!