KTM's MotoGP bike completes Jerez test

Kallio and Hofmann took to the track on Thursday and Friday, before de Puniet replaced the latter on Saturday, making his debut on the RC16.

Kallio said: “After we worked on the ergonomics and the setup in extremely difficult conditions in the first two days, we could confirm many changes in the improved conditions on the third day.

"We tested some things with the traction and wheelie control, also the suspension elements from WP and the various options for the triple clamp.

"I am very happy with the performance and I think we were again able to give the technicians important feedback."

Hofmann, meanwhile, rued the wet track but was positive about the progress KTM has made since the last two tests.

"Compared to both my last tests in Spielberg and Valencia at the end of last year, the bike has been further developed, not only in terms of appearance; it is also technically on a very good basis," he said."

"Now it’s all about getting on with the work and hunting down the times."

Mike Leitner, consultant to KTM, said: “Unfortunately this time we had less luck with the weather, but we still made good use of the changing conditions to work at the circuit for the first time with both of our crews and partly also under time pressure."

"We gathered our first experience in the wet and were, therefore able to take important steps in matters of the electronics and rideability.

"Randy de Puniet gave us very important input for the further development of the KTM RC16 on the third and last day, which was in the dry,” he added.

De Puniet and Thomas Luthi were announced as additional KTM test riders alongside the main duo Kallio and Hofmann last month. 

“As I haven’t sat on a MotoGP machine for more than a year, I immediately felt very good on the bike," de Puniet said.

"As usual we first adjusted it to suit my personal needs. Then in the short time left we tried a few things with the electronics. We are now well prepared for the next test in a few weeks.”

The Austrian factory team will continue its development work with another test scheduled for early March.