KTM remains hopeful after “its best pre-season” in MotoGP

If some did not see KTM taking part in the 2025 campaign MotoGP, due to the financial crisis that the group is going through, the machines of the Austrian manufacturer made a strong impression during the pre-season tests. In Malaysia, as in Thailand, Brad Binder and Pedro Acosta were quite competitive. For their part, Enea Bastianini and Maverick Viñales still have to familiarize themselves with the RC16, which they did not know before the five days of driving.

For example, on the last day of testing in Thailand, Pedro Acosta set the fourth fastest time, just over two tenths behind Marc Marquez. He also had a pretty promising Sprint race simulation, completing 10 runs at an average of 1:30.335 per lap.

These data do not call into question the status of favorites of Marc Marquez and Pecco Bagnaia. Nevertheless, the Tests have only confirmed the feeling that KTM – like Aprilia – is getting closer to Ducati. Which suggests that great battles on the track are in the pipeline for the start of the season.

KTM's best pre-season?

Asked about the pre-season, Pedro Acosta prefers to stay calm and not set expectations. He does, however, admit to having been pleasantly surprised by KTM's debut.

"We have to be happy. There were some good times, and we were quickly on the pace. It's my best pre-season, but maybe also KTM's best in MotoGP, Pedro Acosta emphasizes at the microphone of MotoGP.com. We have to be happy, because the four riders have more or less the same way of thinking, and the bike is better than last year's."

If the Spanish rider remains cautious, it is also because the KTM RC16 has not proven itself on all types of circuits. However, the first rounds of the 2025 season will be held on circuits with very different characteristics.

"It's true that we encountered some problems, but we were still competitive, He continues. I am happy with how the test went. As I said, the pre-season went well. We have to stay calm. The first Grand Prix will be here, but the circuits that will come after, in Argentina, in the United States, and during the whole first part of the season, are quite different.

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