Maverick Viñales expressed optimism after managing to post a competitive time attack lap in challenging low-grip conditions on the first day of the Sepang MotoGP test, signaling promising progress for the new KTM bike. This year’s Sepang test was notably more successful for KTM compared to last year, as the manufacturer took a more active approach in implementing upgrades.
Over the course of three days, the KTM RC16 demonstrated solid pace, although the team did not complete a full time attack during the final session due to various circumstances. Rookie Pedro Acosta finished as the top KTM rider in 8th place, while Viñales ended the last day in 14th. Despite this, Viñales started strong with a 4th place on the opening day, giving him confidence that the new KTM package has real potential, even when track grip was limited.
“The bike felt very good right from the start, offering excellent feedback,” Viñales remarked. “The key for me was being able to set a good lap time at the end of the first day—even though grip is usually poor then. Having a bike that performs well with limited grip means you can stay competitive. We plan to keep this bike and work on improvements in Thailand.”
Viñales admitted he was less satisfied with the setup direction on the final day and indicated he would return to the Tuesday setup as the basis for further development in Thailand. “The third day was positive in terms of testing what worked and what didn’t. I experimented with different setups, especially for the time attack, but the first day’s setup remains the best foundation for me,” he commented. “Though today’s lap times weren’t great, we made proactive decisions about the development path. I focused on refining my riding technique and style, and I believe I’ve already found a solid base.”
The next test is scheduled for Buriram on February 21-22, just ahead of the opening race of the 2026 season the following weekend.
Fan Take:
This update is exciting for racing enthusiasts because it suggests KTM is making significant strides forward, which could shake up the competitive landscape. If Viñales and KTM can build on this promising start, we may see more intense battles at the front, bringing fresh excitement to the MotoGP grid.
