MotoGP Test: Bradley Smith Surprised By KTM RC16

“There’s been so much to take in, but I’ve been positively pleased despite how many things feel so different.”

By Sreejith

Published: Wednesday, November 16, 2016, 18:18 [IST]

Bradley Smith was surprised by the KTM's new RC16 MotoGP machine and he also admitted that it is much better than he expected. He was satisfied with the KTM machine during the test session at Valencia.

MotoGP Test: Bradley Smith Surprised By KTM RC16

The British rider finished the day one of testing in 20th place, only 1.8 seconds off the pacesetter, Maverick Vinales. Smith's KTM teammate Pol Espargaro was 0.35 quicker and finished the session in 19th place.

After the test, when asked about the first outing with Austrian manufacturer, Bradley said, "There's been so much to take in, but I've been positively pleased despite how many things feel so different.

"The engine is different, the chassis is tubular steel, and we're running WP suspension - but it feel like a bike, and it has a similar character on the Michelins and reacts in the same way and logically."

He added, "We worked mainly on electronics today because our riding style is quite different from Mika Kallio. We roll through corners more instead of stopping and starting like in Moto2, and Mika doesn't mind the bike backing in as much and sliding because that's what he knows.

"The good thing is that Pol and I went in a similar direction and positive feedback from it. We didn't try too much with the chassis; today was a case of trying as much with the electronics and trying to understand the character of the engine. The sound confused me the most - you don't really know where you are or what the traction control is doing - but it improved with every run."