KTM Factory Racing will make their long-awaited MotoGP debut as a full factory effort at this weekend’s Valencian Community Grand Prix, with Finnish rider Mika Kallio taking the RC-16 into battle for the very first time.
The Austrian manufacturer announced back in 2014 that it was going to enter the top tier of motorcycle racing, and has carried out an extensive testing programme with the RC-16 since late November. To date, the bike has completed 12 tests at various circuits, including Ricardo Tormo in Valencia.
This means that KTM won’t be flying blind into this weekend, as they will already have a base set-up worked out for the circuit to hit the ground running with on Friday morning. This will be the first time since 2005 KTM have appeared on the MotoGP grid; 11 years ago, they supplied engines to Kenny Roberts’ team, though pulled out mid-season. The Austrian marque remained in Grand Prix racing in the lower classes until 2009, returning in 2012 to contest the Moto3 World Championship, winning the manufacturers’ and riders’ titles three times since their comeback.
Valencia, however, won’t be the first time the RC-16 has gone up against the current crop. At the end of July, they took part in the Red Bull Ring test alongside the majority of the field and impressed hugely; after two days, Kallio was just 1.9 seconds off the pace.
Kallio, who makes his first Grand Prix appearance since the Moto2 race in Valencia last year and his first in MotoGP since 2010, comes into this weekend’s baptism of fire for KTM feeling extremely confident. The Finnish rider says he won’t ‘be at the back of the pack’ on Sunday and reckons he’ll ‘be on fire when the lights go out’. Ricardo Tormo is a circuit that has yielded success for Kallio in the past. He has two victories to his credit at the Spanish circuit in the 125cc and 250cc classes, and has appeared on the rostrum a further two times. His best premier class result was a ninth on a Ducati in 2009.
“The start in Valencia will be a remarkable moment. KTM is presenting this new bike, and it is a great honour to be the one to compete with it for the very first time,” said Kallio.
“This whole year has been great, and I couldn’t imagine a better way to end the season. This coming weekend will be memorable for me, and for all the KTM staff. The team will have valuable experience working under pressure, and I can finally enjoy riding MotoGP again. I’m not going to be at the back of the pack in this race. I’ll be focusing on some of my personal goals after the timed free practices. I can race without pressure, and I believe I’ll be on fire when the lights go out.”
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