The first two days of 2020 testing have seen MotoGP rookies Raul Fernandez and Remy Gardner, both of whom arrive from Moto2, climb aboard the KTM bikes of the Tech3 KTM Factory Racing team and start to get to grips with their new machines. Team manager Hervé Poncharal told motogp.com: “We’ve had two incredibly intense test days. I want to thank both the riders for their commitment. I know they’re coming off a long season and must be a little tired, but they showed real motivation during this first real MotoGP test.”

An encouraging start

The pair, who battled it out for the Moto2 title all the way to Valencia, are now team-mates once again, both making the best possible start in the top class according to Poncharal: “They brought a really positive atmosphere and both put in an impressive performance, giving us some very interesting feedback”. This was only a taster of what we can expect in 2022, when they will line up against the fastest riders in the world: “I think they’ve understood something about what they need to do to be quick with this bike and what they need to do to be physically in shape”.

The latest modifications

Poncharal continued on the theme of fitness: “They both immediately realised that the upper part of the body needs to be a lot stronger to race in MotoGP, where there’s greater speed and carbon brakes”. Overall, the team manager is pleased: “It was a very productive and interesting test, because they can now head into the winter break knowing what needs to be done in order to get to Sepang with clear ideas”. 

Ace up their sleeve

In addition to the riders’ work, Poncharal also highlights the contribution made by KTM test rider Dani Pedrosa: “I would like to thank Dani Pedrosa as well for his role as a test rider, but also as an adviser. He came to see our riders after having been on the service road watching them and every single bit of advice he gave them was very important and very helpful”. Now it’s time for the team and riders to head on holiday, but not the Mattighofen manufacturer of course: “Now it’s up to the brains inside the KTM Factory Racing department to sharpen our 2022 weapons, but I’ve got all trust in them”.

Translated by Heather Watson

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