The presentation of the KTM customer team was held in Barcelona. Augusto Fernandez: “It’s the most important year”
March 6, 2023
rubbing has unveiled the bikes for the 2023 in its factory in Barcelona. Pilots, as we know, are Pol Espargaro (Moto2 champion in 2013) e Augusto Fernandez (current champion of the intermediate category). The two will ride a KTM RC16.
Augusto Fernández is the only rookie of 2023 and the Sepang tests didn’t go bad at all: “I’m coming to MotoGP with the confidence of the Moto2 title, even if I honestly don’t know what to expect this year. I hope to be competitive soon and catch up with my teammate. I believe that it will be the most important year of my careerbut I know I’ll have to be patient. I’m discovering what it means to be a MotoGP rider, a factory rider, but it’s also nice to see how many people work for you, and not just in the team: the whole company is waiting for your results. The Portuguese GP is coming soon, and I can’t wait: the MotoGP debut is a dream come true. Really I can’t wait”.
Pol Espargaro he returns to KTM, albeit in the customer team, after two negative years at Hrc: “It’s like going back to my roots. With Tech3 and the new brand we have a GASGAS ‘mood’: friendly and close to people. Then we are all hard working people, so I am convinced that if we push and fight together as a real team we can be with the best. We will be in front. I think the potential of the bike is high, even if we certainly have a lot of work to do given that the level in MotoGP is really very high. In Valencia, during the first tests, I understood what the bike’s DNA is, and when you feel that it fits perfectly with your DNA… well, it’s a great feeling! We are almost ready to fight for something important this year”.
Il team manager Hervé Poncharal he said: “We always think that the mix between experience and youth is a winner: I’m sure Pol is happy to be back and having Augusto with us is exciting because having the reigning Moto2 champion as a rookie is the best. I am very happy, very proud and I am sure we will create a very positive atmosphere. A red atmosphere!”.
