In a little more than a month’s time, the 2016 KTM RC16 racebike will make its public debut at the Austrian round of the MotoGP in Sachsenring. While the KTM RC16 will not actually be competing as yet, there will be a strong likelihood of the bike taking a few laps to impress the home crowd on August 14.
KTM announced its intention to compete in the top-flight MotoGP class last year, coming off its efforts in the 250 cc Moto 3 class. During the short time span, KTM has shown it is serious about the RC16, testing it at tracks such as Jerez and Valencia in Spain, Brno in the Czech Republic, and Misano in Italy.
According to KTM chief operating officer Stefan Pierer, the steel-trellis framed 2016 KTM RC16 is already making 270 hp from its 90-degree V-four engine, which is mated to a seamless X-Trac gearbox. KTM has requested a wild-card entry for the final round of the 2016 MotoGP season at Valencia, and reports are that the request is likely to be granted, provided the KTM RC16 is race-ready.
Shown testing in Mugello, the 2016 KTM RC16 is currently being put through the paces by test riders Mika Kallio and Tom Luthi, in preparation for its launch. Englishman Bradley Smith and Spaniard Pol Espargaro will be campaigning the KTM RC16 for the 2017 MotoGP season.
With rumours circulating around the MotoGP paddock that race organisers Dorna might make it compulsory for MotoGP teams to field two teams, i.e. four bikes, the addition of KTM to the MotoGP will make the numbers more interesting, and help prevent the single make dominance that is prevalent in Formula One.
There are currently 11 teams competing in MotoGP, supported by five manufacturers – Aprilia, Ducati, Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha. Ducati has the largest representation on the grid, with four teams, including the factory team, campaigning the Ducati Desmosedici GP14.
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Next year’s MotoGP should be the most diverse (& exciting) field since the early 990cc MotoGP era. Too bad Kawasaki is’nt joining the MotoGP party. But if Team Green dominance in WSBK continues next year, would’nt surprised if they decided to return to MotoGP..
Correction. Bradley Smith is British.
tq
Since when has Bradley Smith been American? He was born in Oxford, England.
What other facts are wrong in this article??
Thanks for catching the error. A correction has been made.