KTM test rider Pol Espargaro is eager to evaluate how the factory’s latest 850cc MotoGP bike measures up against competitors during Monday’s test at the Red Bull Ring. Espargaro has been balancing his role between working on KTM’s upcoming bike and substituting for the injured Maverick Vinales on Tech3’s current 1000cc/Michelin machine.
This upcoming group test is significant as it not only introduces the 850cc bikes to a new circuit but also marks only the second occasion where current MotoGP racers are allowed to test the 2027 models along with Pirelli tyres. After finishing 16th in Sunday’s race, Espargaro commented on the test, emphasizing the extensive effort involved in adapting the bike to different track conditions, temperatures, and setup changes. He highlighted the importance of testing three new tyre compounds and expressed particular interest in hearing the feedback from MotoGP riders after trying the bike. Espargaro noted that during the Mugello test, their lap times were competitive with Ducati, and they’ve since made notable improvements, but acknowledged that every new track presents a fresh set of challenges.
Similar to the previous Brno test, KTM plans to have Sunday’s race winner, Pedro Acosta, ride the 850cc bike even though he will be moving to Ducati next season.
On the Honda side, Takaaki Nakagami, who finished an impressive 13th as a stand-in for Joan Mir, revealed that LCR riders Diogo Moreira and Johann Zarco, who placed tenth on Sunday, will debut the Honda 850cc/Pirelli package during Monday’s test. Nakagami himself will also participate but stated his primary role will be to assist Moreira and Zarco in their initial rides with the new bike. While Moreira and Zarco are confirmed with Honda for the next season, it is still uncertain if Moreira will join the factory HRC team alongside Fabio Quartararo. Since this is a private test session, no official lap times will be released.
Fan Take:
This news is crucial for racing fans as it provides the first real insights into the next-generation MotoGP machinery, signaling a significant shift in bike technology for the future of the sport. How well these 850cc prototypes perform and evolve during these tests could reshape team strategies and competition dynamics, making upcoming seasons more thrilling and unpredictable.
Source: www.crash.net
