MotoGP Assen- Red Bull KTM riders yield sterling outcomes

Michelle Liew

July 2, 2019

Red Bull KTM has strived to achieve impressive results in the challenging eighth round of the MotoGP championship in Assen, Netherlands.

Photo credits: Red Bull KTM

One of the toughest Grand Prix of the 2019 MotoGP season has closed its veil- The Motul TT Assen Grand Prix. coque iphone Red Bull KTM Factory Racing has notably delivered sterling results at the TT Circuit Assen curves. The eighth round of the season proved to be not an obstacle for the team as both Red Bull KTM Tech3 riders scored points. Moto2 Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Brad Binder also clinched second place. Other racers have also wielded great outcomes at The Motul TT Assen GP. Here is what the racers have to say after the long weekend in Assen.

Pol Espargaro

Photo credits: Red Bull KTM

“It was the hardest race to handle the pain but not so much for the riding because I was not on the limit. At the beginning of the race I was quite comfortable. I tried to stay calm and fresh and then I pushed behind [Francesco] Bagnaia. The pain started about 12 laps before the end and then 5 laps to go I couldn’t manage. Entering the fast right corners was quite dangerous for me. So I just rolled off and stayed in that position which was not that bad. I was the first KTM…with problems, so this is good. Hopefully with three days the injury can come a bit better and with some painkillers we can do a good race in Germany,” says Espargaro as quoted from Red Bull KTM.

Johann Zarco- As It Happened

Photo credits: Red Bull KTM

“It is a hard track for all the riders I think and I got this problem, which I was able to control the last two years and this year not. The good thing was the first ten laps and to be able to catch the others with pace and be able to overtake as a racer. We are working a lot and changing the bike a lot to give me this feeling or possibilities to improve. After ten laps I did a few mistakes. I had the feeling I was not holding the bike any more and before something bad happened I had to stop.”

Miguel Oliveira- As It Happened

Photo credits: Red Bull KTM

“It has been a tough race today. For sure, the starting position didn’t help at all. In the first laps I couldn’t overtake anyone but in any case, I had a strong pace at the end. I could be competitive and fight with other riders, so I think finally, to finish in the points was the target and we did it. I’m quite happy for the weekend. This is a small step but we are getting there. Collecting more information for the future is also important.”

Hafizh Syahrin- As It Happened

Photo credits: Red Bull KTM

“It was a really good race in the beginning. From eight laps to go, I lost rear grip on the right side and don’t know why. I tried to manage it with the traction control but it was not working. So, I’m a bit disappointed, because I know I could have been close to Pol and maybe also in front of my teammate. But this is the race. Now we further try to improve our weak points and understand the bike better and better.”

Mike Leitner, Red Bull KTM Team Manager

Photo credits: Red Bull KTM

“Pol had a great weekend in the circumstances. He went from the hospital to the garage and there were a lot of question marks as well as pain for him in the sessions. He did a great qualifying and that was the base of this result today. If someone asked me after FP1 if Pol would finish the race on Sunday I would have said ‘no chance’. To ride a MotoGP bike is not like riding a scooter in the paddock: it is a tough job. He did brilliantly. Johann did well in the beginning and was in the group fighting for tenth position but then dropped away dramatically. So we’ll have to analyse what happened but I could see there were riders with other brands that were suffering on track. We’ll have to look if we can give our best at Sachsenring.